HSE cutbacks to affect most vulnerable children

SOME of the country’s most vulnerable children may be left without vital healthcare and support services as a result of HSE budget cutbacks.

The country’s largest provider of community-based services to people with intellectual disabilities said yesterday it may have to turn away vulnerable clients because of funding problems.

Since 2003, St Michael’s House in Dublin has suffered a €2 million reduction in funding from the HSE and will have to consider withholding services to new clients.