Reilly rows back on €10m healthcare cuts

Threats to slash personal care assistance for the disabled by €10m were lifted last night as Health Minister James Reilly was forced into a humiliating climbdown.

A Cabinet backlash against the move saw Dr Reilly order the HSE to abandon the proposed cuts, and look for savings in travel and subsistence cost in the disabled budget instead.

Plans to cut the personal assistant hours worth €10m caused uproar when announced last week, rocked the Coalition and led to an emotionally charged protest by disabled people and their families outside Government Buildings as the Cabinet met for the first time since the summer recess.