By Damian McCarney
damian.mccarney@meathpost.com

A Trade Union is lobbying government ministers in a last gasp bid to
keep Meath’s leading drugs counselling group open. Aisling Group
International has been surviving on borrowed time since funding ran
out in New Year’s and they are without a secure long-term source of
finance.

However in a surprise move, leading trade union SIPTU has intervened
by pleading the Aisling Group’s case before government minister, Noel
Dempsey. SIPTU representatives were delighted that the minister, who
originally hails from Trim, vowed to raise the matter with junior
minister, Pat Carey who has responsibility for this area. The Aisling
Group also made a written submission to the Minister, and the union is
hopeful of receiving a swift response.

Regional Secretary Christy McQuillan, said that he was approached by a
number of SIPTU members whose friends and relatives had received help
from the Aisling Group in the past.

“It is 20 years in existence and if it was relevant 20 years ago, it
is far more relevant today,” said Mr McQuillan. “We have a crisis and
epidemic of drug abuse.”

Mr McQuillan said that the Aisling Group needed finance to keep them
open in the immediate short term, to provide “breathing space” for
discussions on securing its long term future. He believes that given
time there may be a “corporate interest” in supporting the group.
The Navan based group was due to close over the Christmas break, but a
number of private donations provided a brief period respite. Whether
it proves to be only a stay of execution could depend upon the
response at ministerial level.

Aisling Group International director, Marie Byrne said that they were
determined to stay open for as long as possible to help the young
addicts who have turned to the centre for help.

“We need to have money on the table, bottom line,” stressed Ms Byrne.
“Our aim is to have an international centre in Meath so we could have
the best possible service.

“We are not achieving our goal by playing footsie with government
departments, we really need to get proper corporate funding -
independent funding which will allow us to provide proper support,
like any normal country would do.

“I think people will know our value when we go, because the drugs
problem won’t go away.”