Saving from cut a ‘fantasy’, says TCD expert

Planned savings from the Government’s 19% cut to respite care will be wiped out if just 480 families give up and put their loved ones into State care.

The claim was made by a leading academic and healthcare professional with experience in managing health budgets, who Health Minister Dr James Reilly’s plan amounts to “fantasy” accounting.

Paul Horan, assistant professor at Trinity College’s school of nursing and midwifery, said the budget move to axe respite care support from €1,700 a year to €1,375 will, on paper, save the State up to €25m.