Funding cuts to agencies ‘will not affect services’

Health Minister James Reilly has insisted any funding cuts to agencies giving top-ups to high-ranking officials will not hit patient services.

Dr Reilly took the stance amid concerns the public could find itself in the middle of a war between the agency sector and the HSE.

Speaking after another day in which the Central Remedial Clinic failed to clarify key questions over its ongoing use of charitable donations to fund top-level salaries, Dr Reilly said only those receiving the money — not patients receiving services — will be affected.