Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

Having listened to the debate tonight and last night Members, including those in the Government parties, should know the depth of feeling that surrounds the protection of our children, particularly when their health and well-being is threatened. This feeling is more intense when life saving and life improving procedures have been identified and cannot be implemented because of budgetary measures, or an absence of such measures.

We have all heard and read the heart rending stories of children and their parents who have been forced to publicise their cases in an effort to receive vital treatment. I am sure this is not a pleasant situation for many of them. They would prefer to receive the services they need and deserve without such publicity. These stories represent a very small number of the 24,000 day cases, the 30,000 emergency department attendees and the 80,000 out-patients who visit Crumlin hospital annually. Crumlin hospital is our largest children's hospital, providing up to 80% of tertiary or highly specialised care for children across the State. It touches so many families and communities.

Children who are ill cannot survive without vital intervention. Everyone in this, so called, civilised society should be outraged at the way we treat these vulnerable children. I saw the statement issued by Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin this week. It outlines the background to the situation in which the hospital finds itself this year. In 2007, the hospital funding was €9 million less than its expenditure. That shortfall was resolved as a once off payment. In 2008, funding was €14.4 million less than the hospital's projected spend. The HSE became involved and the shortfall was halved to €7 million by non-replacement of staff and management and by pay and non-pay issues. In 2009, expenditure is estimated to be almost €138 million. We are talking today of a shortfall of the order of €9 million in that projected budget.

I am glad the Joint Committee on Health and Children visited Crumlin hospital yesterday and saw the situation there. I have personal experience of the hospital as one of my children was treated there. I am sure many Members of the House have been touched by it. Everyone wishes the best for the hospital. It is recognised as the best. The hospital integrates families and provides a child focused recovery. These effective procedures, developed through many years of experience, have been outlined by many speakers today.

The Minister for Health and Children and the Taoiseach spoke of the need for Crumlin hospital to operate within a budget. This restriction cannot apply. More children are being born and procedures which were previously unheard of are now possible. Outcomes, particularly in the area of cardiac care, are much better. Premature babies now survive, many of them with complications which need intervention. All of this points to the fact that inputs into Crumlin and the number of patients attending there have increased. An economic restriction such as this should not apply.

We need the different approach which has been outlined by the Fine Gael spokesperson. In our FairCare approach, the money would follow the patient. It does not make sense to ask a hospital like Crumlin, where numbers are increasing on an annual basis, to live within a budget. It certainly does not make sense to the children who find themselves without life saving services.

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