David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We had many statements then from the then Minister for Health, and others, and plans and strategies were put in place. In her opening statement, however, Ms Hardiman still referred to more operating theatre capacity being needed and coming. She also spoke about additional beds being needed and coming, and I assume that she is talking about paediatric ICU beds. She also then referred to new MRI scanners coming and additional staff being on the way.

I was given a statement to read by the Scoliosis Advocacy Network, SAN, which I will not have time to do, and I have also met the parents of many children who have scoliosis. The reasonable point they would make in this regard is that those plans and strategies were put in place five years ago and it is now 2021. Yet, we are still here talking about the provision of more surgical theatre capacity, which may be on the way, and for which there are plans down the road, more staff, who may also be on the way, with plans again for that to happen down the road, more beds, which once again might be coming and for which there are again plans down the road. Why in God's name was all that not done during the past five years? Why are we still here and still hearing about all these aspects?

When Ms Hardiman responds, she might also spell out more detail in this regard, because her opening statement was quite scant on detail. When she refers to more operating capacity, what exactly is she talking about and when will that be provided? Equally, concerning the reference to more beds, how many will there be and when will they be in place? Regarding the new MRI scanners, as well, how many will there be and when will they be in place? Ms Hardiman also talked about additional staff, as did my colleague, who referred in particular to the need for more nurses to open beds. How many such staff will there be and when will they be in post? That is the type of detail that parents want to hear. They want to know what actions are to be undertaken, what is happening in that regard and why that was not done over the last five years.