Donnelly orders HSE to allow meetings with disabilities minister

Taoiseach wants full review of Progressing Disabilities Services Programme after Anne Rabbitte claims senior HSE officials blocked her from holding meetings

Disabilities Minister Anne Rabbitte said it was 'regrettable' and 'unfortunate' that her position had been 'undermined' and that a senior minister had to get involved. Picture: Jim Coughlan

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has directly intervened to order the HSE to hold 'on-the-ground' meetings with Disabilities Minister Anne Rabbitte amid concerns about how services for children are being delivered.

Ms Rabbitte has claimed senior HSE officials blocked her from holding individual meetings with those managing services for children with disabilities across the country as they feared what she might ask and were concerned about "the lack of control" they would have over such meetings.