Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. The letter from the HSE does not tell the parents of Jack where he stands in regard to the Ashtown Gate waiting list and therefore, as the Minister says, they cannot make an informed decision. If they thought they could get treatment sooner by going to Dundalk perhaps that would change things. However, the problem is that Jack's father is in full-time employment while his mother is a person with Crohn's disease. It would be difficult for her to travel with her son to Dundalk for what we are told may be treatment requiring 30 to 40 visits. It is quite expensive to purchase a return train fare from Kilbarrack to Dundalk for a child and an adult and it would amount to a significant sum for 30 to 40 trips. There is also the question of the health of Jack's mother.

The policy of the HSE is not focused on the needs of the particular client and his or her family. As the Minister pointed out, there is no information in the letter as to whether they would be better off remaining on the Ashtown list. The implication of the letter is clearly that they will be seen more quickly if they go to Dundalk but it does not say that directly. In the absence of definite information, the family is in a quandary. To have to go to Dundalk for 30 or 40 visits would pose difficulties for the family. I am disappointed with the director general of the HSE who did not take up the points I made and simply referred the matter to someone else. I would appreciate it if someone could persuade the HSE to give more information to children like Jack as to whether they would be better off staying on the Ashtown Gate list or seen more quickly by going to Dundalk.

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