Mary White (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)

I wish to thank Fine Gael for initiating this debate. We may and will disagree about matters, but there is no greater priority for the Government than to protect and provide for our children. Our children are our flesh and blood. They are our future. When a child is ill, this is devastating and affects family and friends. For those of us elected to represent thousands of families, we have a duty to highlight concerns such as health provision and care.

I have spent the past two weeks highlighting the issue of scoliosis patients, in particular the plight of Jamie Murphy from Graiguenamanagh, County Kilkenny. I am delighted that a private benefactor has come forward to speed up Jamie's operation, what I want to see is certainty that no child will suffer a delay in treatment for scoliosis or any other ailment because of restraints in the system. I do not like the word "restraints". Let us call a spade a spade; we are talking about cutbacks. Over the past two weeks I have learnt a lot about scoliosis and how it affects growing children and how important it is to obtain surgery before curvature of the spine causes intense pain, harm to vital organs and terrible disfigurement.

I could not stand over delays in treatment because of closures, delays in life enhancing surgery or more cutbacks that would extend the waiting time for scoliosis patients to be seen. Some very good things have happened recently. The planned closure of a ward and theatre mentioned in the motion moved by the Opposition will not now happen. The postponement of outpatient appointments by 15%, which would have affected approximately 8,843 patients, will not happen and neither will there be 1,100 fewer admissions. As of yesterday, in discussions between the HSE and the three Dublin paediatric hospitals, it was agreed that Crumlin Children's hospital would revert, as a matter of urgency, to the HSE with its proposals to address the needs of scoliosis patients between now and the end of the year. It is my understanding that the HSE will get active on these proposals within days. The waiting list for scoliosis treatment has fallen and will fall further and there are now dedicated theatre sessions put in place for the paediatric consultant performing this surgery in Crumlin. I welcome that.

I want to ensure that not only those on emergency lists, but those awaiting life-saving surgery will be treated speedily in Crumlin hospital. I want to ensure that we work to reverse the closure of the 25-bed ward and a hospital theatre. I believe that will be done. I personally want to thank the Minister for Health, Deputy Mary Harney, for her work on this issue in recent days. The provision of quality services and non-emergency services is an issue in which I have a deep interest, as has the Green Party. Recession or no recession, cutbacks cannot be allowed to cause pain for children. That is a given. As the Minister said last night, "No child should ever be in pain as they await necessary treatment".

I would also like to know what the €30 million in fundraising is doing sitting on deposit on behalf of a hospital foundation. If money is being spent on improvements to the hospitals emergency department, why can it not be spent on other essential items? I know hundreds of people who have fund-raised, run marathons, mini marathons or shaken buckets all over the country to help the hospital. Why is that money not being spent?

On the question of budgets, it should be noted that the Fine Gael Party's budget proposals for 2009 included a cut in all current budgets of 3%, from the 2008 level. Fine Gael cut the funding of the Green Party last night by refusing to give us a pair so that we could take part in a fund raiser to raise funds for Crumlin Children's Hospital. That was an own goal.

We are all aware of the challenges facing our health system as budgets get tighter. More demands are placed on the system due to increased population. Hospitals will have to work hard to find savings, be resourceful with their facilities and do all they can to centralise services such as the measures outlined in last night's debate. Despite the budgetary pressures facing all concerned and the work within the service to increase efficiency and resourcefulness, our children must not be caught in the middle waiting for care or surgery.

On the question of savings, nothing must be spared in protecting front line services. Care for our children is a sine qua non. We will do whatever it takes ensure the best hospital care for them. That is the hallmark of a civilised society and that is what I am working for.

See this speech in context