Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

-----children's hospital as well as prioritising funding for children in the context of the spend on health in Ireland. I told the Deputy it was an extra €800 million. In terms of our population, that is a very significant increase in a budget. I do not know the detailed breakdown but I strongly anticipate that the management of Crumlin hospital, and the consultants who will be part of the management structure, will be able, with the additional resources being provided overall in health, to prioritise the children who most need assistance.

I agree with the young girl from New Ross about whom the Deputy spoke. Obviously, it is a priority for everybody in government to ensure that she gets her necessary treatment as quickly as possible. It is a difficult condition. Modern medicine has advanced enormously to be able to help people and if the Deputy gives us the details, I will have them examined. I will raise the issue with the Minister for Health, and I certainly would like to see that young girl getting whatever treatment is appropriate for her as soon as possible.

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