CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
The Rehab Group was fortunate to continue to enjoy a period of growth in 2008 against a background of global change. New services and initiatives were launched and the organisation continued to develop and adapt its range of services to meet the evolving needs of its client group.
More than 56,000 people now access the Rehab Group's services, in over 200 locations across Ireland, England, Scotland, the Netherlands and Poland. The array of these services across health, social care, employment, training, education and rehabilitation is now among the broadest in any non-governmental organisation, ensuring that our clients have access to an unparalleled range of services to meet their individual needs.
Of significant note in the past 12 months must be the organisation's recognition by the Department of Education and Science in Ireland as a primary school patron, and the subsequent opening of our first school at Patrickswell, Co. Limerick. This marks a new chapter in the Rehab Group's history and we look forward to further developments in this arena.
As 2008 progressed, it became evident that the economic conditions, and the societal demands arising from these, will challenge the organisation in new ways in the coming years. A tightening funding regime and the growth of need in new areas, along with the challenges already facing the existing client base, will ensure that the organisation must continue to adapt and change to deliver on its mission.
The organisation is well placed to meet this challenge. Throughout the last decade of growth, the Rehab Group has put in place solid infrastructure and has developed strong corporate governance. In the more challenging times ahead, the Board is confident that the services of the organisation will continue to be recognised by its funders and partners as high-quality and providing excellent value for money. As Chairman of the Board, I would like to express my gratitude to my Board colleagues for their continued commitment to the work of the Rehab Group. My particular thanks are due to those Board members who chair important sub-committees - Liam Hogan (Audit), Don Tallon (Best Practice) and Declan Doyle (Remuneration).
In particular, the Board and staff of the Rehab Group join in our combined thanks to, and appreciation of, our long-standing Board member Joe Treacy, who retired from the Rehab Group Board during 2008. Joe's involvement spanned over 30 years as a Board member including his two terms as Chairman from 1988 to 1991 and from 2003 to 2006. His tireless efforts on behalf of the Rehab Group have contributed greatly to its success over the last three decades and his Board colleagues wish him every happiness in his retirement.
In addition to Joe, this year saw a major scaling-down by our long-term Director and former Chairman, Des Cashell, of his involvement in the Rehab Group. Happily, he was persuaded to continue as a Rehab Group Board Director but has withdrawn from his involvement both as Chair and ordinary Director of all other subsidiaries with which he was associated. Des has been a member of the Rehab Group Board for 41 years and his contribution at every level has been quite extraordinary. We are all deeply in his debt and, on a personal level, I am pleased to acknowledge his remarkable input over the years and the guidance and assistance which he has so generously given to me since I joined the Board.
The partnerships which the Rehab Group enjoys with organisations in the public, not-for-profit and private sectors are essential to the Rehab Group's work. I would like, in particular, to express our appreciation to our funding partners, including the Health Service Executive, FÁS, the Departments of Education and Science, Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, as well as Pobal, in Ireland, and the Department for Work and Pensions, local authorities, health boards, Primary Care Trusts, and Learning and Skills Councils in the UK, as they continue to generously support the organisation's work.
On behalf of the Rehab Group Board, I would like to acknowledge all those who have given so much to the organisation over the last year.
To the staff of the Rehab Group, under the leadership of Angela Kerins and the Group Management Team, I extend our sincere appreciation and thanks for their motivation and dedication which produce such excellent results across all divisions. During the year, members of the Best Practice Committee of the Rehab Group Board adjudicated on the Innovation Awards which recognise excellence in new ideas and projects from Rehab Group services. The committee was extremely pleased at the level of commitment shown by staff and service users to developing new ideas and continuing to evolve services, and we look forward to many more innovations in 2009.
Our sincere thanks also go to our voluntary committees and many volunteers who work so hard to ensure the success of our varied and imaginative fundraising events. Finally, I would like to thank the people who access our services and their families; we look forward to continuing to work with you in 2009. The Rehab Group holds a key position as one of the largest not-for-profit organisations providing services to people with disabilities in Europe. In the changing times in which we live, the importance of organisations like ours which ensure that essential services are provided to those with disabilities and who are vulnerable is further underlined. The Rehab Group will continue to champion the rights of people with disabilities, older people and others who are marginalised to bring real difference to people's lives.
Colm Allen SC
Chairman
May 2009
View a PDF version of the Rehab Group Annual Report 2008.
