Ms Caroline Lynch:

There are 1,400 children in Ireland with life-limiting conditions and about 350 children die every year. We have Government in this area. The Hospice Foundation has raised €2.5 million to implement Government policy. The various elements we have supported would be a consultant paediatrician with a special interest in palliative medicine. That person has been in place for one year. There should be eight out-reach nurses in the community, there are three. Some progress has been made. I acknowledge the contribution of members of the committee who have helped us. Last week four other posts were advertised.

The key messages are: protect the most vulnerable citizens who are at the end of their lives, therefore, spare the palliative care budget; roll out initiatives which will have an impact in terms of end of life care; and continue to support the families of children with life-limiting illnesses to care at home.