Top Dutch child welfare agency under bankruptcy threat

Intermetzo, one of the largest child welfare institutions in the Netherlands, is facing bankruptcy. The company is suffering from municipalities paying their bills late, NRC reports based on anonymous sources. Intermetzo has millions of euros worth of invoices that municipalities haven't paid yet, according to the sources. The institution employs approximately 2,300 people and is helping 4,500 children. A spokesperson for the company would not confirm or deny these reports to NRC. According to the newspaper, Intermetzo is not the only welfare institution facing this problem. Many institutions have to deal with late payments since municipalities took over the responsibility for youth care. The William Schrikker Group, for example, still has 7.5 million euros outstanding from municipalities.