The Central Remedial Clinic (CRC) receives €19 million a year to provide support to thousands of children and adults with disabilities.
The clinic’s fundraising literature states that although it is largely State-funded, it has a “significant annual shortfall which must be made up through voluntary donations and fundraising”.
It adds: “Your support is vital, without it the Central Remedial Clinic would not be able to deliver such high standards of service.”
A charity linked to the clinic – the Friends and Supporters of the Central Remedial Clinic – raises about €2 million for the organisation each year.
Most of the money raised by the Friends and Supporters organisation is generated from a lottery that is administered by the Care Trust.
Donors to the lottery are invited to make monthly contributions, either by direct debit or credit card, starting from €3.50 a month upwards.
Yesterday, the CRC confirmed that some of the funding generated by the Friends and Supporters organisation was being used to pay top-up allowances to senior staff in the clinic.
Large projects
However, it said most of the money had enabled the clinic to fund a large number of capital projects, such as services in Waterford, Limerick and Dublin.
Accounts for the Friends and Supporters company state that its aims are to “distribute [lottery] funds in accordance with its objectives” and that it intended to “continue to support the Central Remedial Clinic Clontarf and other services for people with physical disability”.
Separately, the CRC also invites potential donors on its website to become a “friend” of the organisation for a minimum subscription of €50 a year.
“In doing so, you will be supporting the clinic’s work for children and adults with physical disabilities and helping to maintain the high standard of services for which we have become renowned,” it states.
High profile
The clinic is also involved in a range of other high-profile fundraising events such as the Santa Bear appeal and a comedy night.
There is no evidence to suggest these funds are being used to make top-up
payments because the clinic has declined to comment beyond the activities of the Friends and Supporters organisation.
Overall, the clinic is acknowledged to have played a vital role in improving the lives of children and adults with physical disabilities since it was established in the 1950s.
Today, the Central Remedial Clinic has expanded to include services in the greater Dublin area, as well as Waterford and Limerick.
