Concern raised over Pieta House in Roscrea

Pieta House will continue to provide its services in Roscrea but the opening of its local centre is being reduced from five to just two days per week. 
It is understood that lack of demand is the reason for reducing the opening hours of the Glebe View base, which provides a suicide and self-harm prevention counselling service, free of charge. Expressing concern about the situation this week, Chairman of Roscrea Community Development Council John Lupton welcomed that the centre is remaining open, as there had been rumours of outright closure.
Opening in 2013 in response to the high rate of suicide in the north Tipperary area – and particularly in Roscrea – the local Pieta House centre offers professional therapeutic services for people in distress as well as counselling for those bereaved through suicide. Originally intended as a part-time outreach centre, the level of demand at the time of opening was strong enough to warrant a six-day schedule.
However, as of the end of this month, the service will be reduced to two days. It is understood that this is a temporary measure and full service may be reinstated if demand increases. 
The vast majority of Pieta House funding comes from charitable contributions and fundraising; government funding amounts to only around 20%.
Mr Lupton said there had been local fears of Pieta House closing the centre. “I would hate to see the service go from Roscrea,” he said. “It is a very valuable service. I certainly thought there would have been much more demand for their services.”
The RCDC chairman recalled the campaign to open Pieta House in Roscrea and the many fundraising initatives undertaken locally in support of it. This included 'Darkness Into Light' walks, as well as many independent fundraisers organised by local people. Roscrea Lions Club and the Chamber of Commerce were also heavily involved in bringing the centre to town.
Mr Lupton said he is aware of young people in Roscrea seeking the assistance of similar services in Nenagh. The local community would be surprised as well as disappointed with the situation facing Glebe View centre and Mr Lupton hoped Roscrea is not at risk of losing another service. “It would be a big shock to the community if it closes,” he said.