Children in jeopardy - Budget can’t match crisis

WE already know of the epidemic of suicide sweeping the country – more than 10 a week – but figures just published reveal another manifestation of the terrible challenges facing individuals, families and communities.

Last year more children that ever before – 820, up from 764 – found themselves in situations that demanded crisis intervention from the HSE.

It is hard not to worry that at least some of these children will not get the attention they so badly need because our system is so utterly stretched and under-resourced. And that was before Mary Harney announced that health budgets will be cut in December’s budget. The consequences of economic collapse are indeed harrowing.