Cork addiction service ‘in dire need’ of support

Tabor Group, a longstanding provider of residential addiction treatment services in Cork, is issuing an urgent call to Government to increase funding in Budget 2025 to address what it has said is an “escalating addiction crisis”.

The organisation said it is under pressure to guarantee its 36 treatment beds in “ageing buildings that are in urgent need of upgrade”.

Last year, Tabor Group — which provides residential addiction treatment programmes to men and women over 18 who are struggling with addiction to alcohol, drugs, and gambling — provided support to 1,654 individuals.

Tabor Group’s facilities comprise of two residential addiction treatment centres, namely Tabor Lodge in Belgooly and Tabor Fellowship at Spur Hill, where primary residential and integrated recovery treatment programmes are offered.

In addition to this, Tabor Group also provides community-based treatment programmes.

This year, to break even, Tabor Group said it has to generate €3.4m in income to meet its obligations.

It said funding from health and other public sources amounts to 56% (€1.9m) of overall funding, with the remainder having to be raised by Tabor Group.

In order to ensure the sustainability of its services, the organisation said it is “imperative” that it secures an uplift in revenue funding that is maintained year on year. As part of the Addiction Treatment Centre of Ireland (ATCI) pre-budget submission, it is requesting a €250,000 increase in funding.

“This essential support will allow us to retain our dedicated staff, keep pace with rising wage inflation, and cover increasing pension costs,” Tabor Group stated.

“Without this funding, our ability to provide vital addiction treatment services will be severely compromised.”

In addition to revenue funding, Tabor Group is seeking an urgent capital investment of €2m in public funding for upgrades to their flagship facility in Belgooly.

It said the historic building is in “dire need” of modernisation to continue serving as a 21st-century addiction treatment centre.

Critical improvements, it said, include roof repairs, the renovation of rooms to provide single occupancy, ensuites, and urgent repairs to outdated water and wastewater systems.

“Our facilities must be fit for purpose to provide people with the best possible addiction treatment experience,” said Tabor Group CEO Colette Kelleher.

“To continue offering high-quality addiction treatment services, Tabor Group urgently needs Government support to bring our building up to modern healthcare standards. The future of Tabor Lodge hinges on these long-overdue repairs and upgrades, which can no longer be ignored.”