Opposition TDs in Co Tipperary have today come out in numbers to express their dissatisfaction with cuts announced by the HSE to offset a running deficit.
The cuts announced include the reduction of home helps hours and home care packages, cutbacks in the use of agency nursing staff and a clampdown on overtime.
Independent TD Mattie McGrath has said that cuts in the home care areas are false economy as there may be savings in the short term but they will eventually lead to more costs in the long term as more people will end up in hospital.
The other South Tipperary Independent TD Seamus Healy said that of the eight cost-cutting measures announced, at least three will affect older people or the disabled exclusively.
He has called for the chairman of the Oireachtas Health Commitee to convene an emergency meeting to discuss the cuts.
North Tipperary TD Michael Lowry meanwhile, has accused the Health Minister James Reilly of mismanaging the health service, adding that in his opinion there has been nothing but deterioration in health care since he became minister.
