Funding frustrations for Attic house

After receiving disheartening correspondence from Health Minister Leo Varadkar last week, the committee took to the Attic Youth Cafe’s Facebook page to share their frustration at the lack of Government support seen by the project.

Referring to the Attic House’s application for funding from the Department of Health’s National Lottery Discretionary Fund, Minister Leo Varadkar responded,

“While the installation of a platform lift would improve access to this youth club, these services are not within the sole remit of the health services and, in particular specialist disability services, and this will have to be taken into account when deciding on the distribution of the remaining limited funding.”

While it’s not a direct refusal, it’s another blow to the group, and the fourth time they have been denied the same funding, according to Ruth McGarry Quinn.

“It’s the fourth year in a row that we have applied for funding and been turned down. You have to ask, what do you have to do to get funding?” she despaired.

€370k raised so far

According to a spokesperson for the Attic Management Committee, €370,000 has been raised so far for the project. 96% of this was fundraised locally, with the remaining 4% was provided by Longford Enterprise Board and Longford County Council.

With this latest setback, the committee have decided that “enough is enough”, and they have vowed to post any further correspondence on social media to show those who fundraised exactly what is going on behind the scenes.

As well as the lack of funding, the committee are frustrated by the apparent lack of representation from local TDs, particularly Longford TD James Bannon.

“He’s trying to get a university to the Midlands, but we can’t get a lift to the Attic,” the spokesperson fumed.

Just last week, a visiting volunteer highlighted the need for a lift when, due to an accident, she couldn’t make it upstairs in the new premises.

Indeed the spokesperson also pointed out that accessibility was a huge factor in moving from the Temperance Hall, giving the example that The Attic’s resident DJ for discos and parties was wheelchair-bound at the time and couldn’t attend the youth café.

“He engaged with the Attic without actually being in the Attic,” they added.

With that in mind, the committee and the builders have done all they can to ensure the rest of the building is accessible, but a lift is still needed and the latest correspondence has, according to the committee, put a ‘dark cloud’ over the open day, which takes place on September 26.

Disappointed

Pointing out that he had been in close contact with Management Committee representatives on issues relating to sports capital grants and National Lottery funding, Deputy James Bannon stated that he was asked to follow up on the application for the former with Minister Michael Ring, which he was happy to do, though the announcement of funding is not due until November.

Alluding to the funds already secured by the Attic, including 74% (€15,000) of the €26,150 HSE Funding received by Longford in 2014 and €60,000 from Longford County Council, Deputy Bannon was, however, quick to express his dismay at the letter received by Minister Varadkar.

“I was deeply disappointed when an application to fit a platform lift for young people and adult volunteers with physical disabilities was not successful.

“Both the Management Committee and I were informed by the Department of Health that this service was not within the sole remit of the health services. The fact that a platform lift does not fall within the “sole remit of the health services” it beggars belief in my opinion.

“The Attic Youth Café provides an excellent service for young people,” he continued. “It ensures positive alternatives are available for young people by involving them in worthwhile activities. Its work should be supported at every single opportunity.”