Core HSE funding for Limerick autism charity largely unchanged since 2019

Core funding for Limerick-based autism support charity Dochas-Midwest Autism Support has remained largely unchanged since 2019, HSE figures show.

Annual allocations increased from just over €50,000 in 2019 to €56,561 in 2026, with higher totals in some years due to one-off grants.

The figures were revealed following a question from Limerick councillor Elisa O’Donovan at a recent Regional Health Forum Mid West meeting.

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In a written reply, Maria Bridgeman, IHA Manager for HSE Mid West, said: “Dochas provides support to children and adults with Autism and their families in the Mid West region.”

She added that this support is primarily delivered through “social interaction clubs for children and young adults aged four to 18+, parent and toddler groups, parent support sessions, and advice for parents and carers.”

Ms Bridgeman explained that Dochas also runs a drop-in information and support centre six days a week and provides movement and recreation services, alongside complimentary therapies such as speech and language, music, and art therapy.

“Dochas also promotes Autism awareness through information talks to schools and other organisations,” she said, “and lobbies for ASD-specific services in health and education.”

Figures show annual HSE funding is mainly used to support the CEO/Manager salary and operational costs. Dochas received €50,236 in both 2019 and 2020.

Ms Bridgeman noted that in 2021, funding rose to €83,236 due to a one-off Covid payment of €33,000. Funding returned to more typical levels in 2022 at €51,994 and €50,236 in 2023.

In 2024, total funding rose to €75,056, which included €20,000 for a sensory grant, and in 2025 it reached €85,868 with €30,000 allocated to sensory services. “For 2026, funding is set at €56,561 to support the CEO/Manager in service delivery,” Ms Bridgeman said.

In addition to HSE support, Dochas has received grants from the National Lottery. She explained these grants “have supported music therapy, communications tools for parents, IT systems, and movement and recreation activities, including an autism-specific gymnastics club and classes for Limerick schools.”