Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister for Health is aware of the case of Liam Mc An tSaoi and promised two years ago that he would not have to spend another Christmas in Crumlin children's hospital. Liam's family are from Galway and will require the support of Galway University Hospital. Liam's mother Louise is a trained nurse. The issue is one of funding and an inability to put together a package to allow for Liam's safe discharge from Crumlin children's hospital.

In regard to home care packages, the Taoiseach is aware that there are seven babies in Crumlin children's hospital who have had tracheotomies inserted and also cannot go home. The advocacy group involved has stated that the numbers in this regard are at crisis level. We are all aware of the challenges and difficulties in facilitating families in these situations in terms of bringing their children home and so on. The absence of funding and resources is preventing these children from leaving Crumlin children's hospital.

See this speech in context