Pieta House gives assurances on Mayo service

Pieta House has issued a statement confirming its commitment to continuing its counselling services based in Ballina.

The statement outlined: “Due to the impact of the global pandemic, Covid 19, Pieta is managing a significant budget shortfall in 2020 of approximately €6.5 million due to the loss of Darkness into Light income given that the event has had to be postponed.

“Plus, given the current economic uncertainty, we are also seeing the loss of ongoing community fundraising incomes that are generated throughout the year.

“Pieta can assure all its supporters and clients that it will continue to offer counselling services in Ballina.

"Furthermore we will continue to provide our service through our 15 locations, plus our four outreach locations, nationwide.

“This support is currently being implemented via phone based therapy due to the Covid 19 lockdown.

"We know how critical our free counselling is to communities which are affected by the devastating impact of suicide and self-harm.

“Pieta will continue to support these communities, and communities across Ireland, into the future.

“Pieta is currently undertaking a number of fundraising campaigns to try to keep up public donations as much as possible.

"Notwithstanding this, regretfully, as the current shortfall is so great, we have had to implement several cost-cutting measures and salary reductions of up to 30% for all staff.

“These measures are needed to ensure that the delivery of services to clients can be protected now, and over the long term, when our vital services will continue to be needed.

“All departments in Pieta have been required to cut costs and voluntary redundancies have taken place across the organisation.

“We have not come to these decisions lightly and it is with great regret that there will be further reductions including temporary layoff, non-renewal of contracts and further redundancies as a result of the restructuring of across teams.”

Pieta CEO, Elaine Austin, said: “We understand this is a very difficult time for our dedicated staff and we deeply regret having to take this step.

“With the loss of our flagship annual fundraising event, Darkness into Light, we have been left with a very significant funding gap and in order to keep our doors open to clients, we must make these very difficult decisions.

“Our current fundraising campaigns, including Sunrise and the recent Concert for Hope, are very important and we would appeal to the general public to support them as much as possible as this will help us maintain vital services to our clients.”

Pieta remains committed to helping vulnerable people who are experiencing suicidal ideation, self-harm or who are bereaved by suicide through our 24/7 crisis helpline 1800 247 247.

Pieta is committed to meeting the service demand for those in need across the country and to maximise the service that we can offer and that our financial position allows.

To support Pieta’s fundraising efforts, please visit www.pieta.ie/donate