If the Duffy family are forced to sell their home to pay €500,000 in legal costs after losing a case against the National Maternity Hospital, it could cost the State €2m to care for their severely disabled son, Mark, for the rest of his life.

Forget the financial figures, political press releases and missing minister. The reality of the latest HSE cutbacks scandal can be explained in far easier terms.

Hundreds of children with intellectual disabilities have been told that vital respite care services are no longer available due to deepening HSE cutbacks.