Children to lose respite care after HSE cuts

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

Inclusion Ireland and the Special Needs Parents Association revealed the situation affecting 300 families across south Dublin on the same day as the HSE warned of yet more drastic cuts to the overall health service.

In meetings with affected parents over the past two days, Carmona Services — which provides outsourced services for children with “severe” intellectual disabilities on behalf of the State — said it could no longer afford respite care support.