Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Acting Chairman for giving me the opportunity to raise this important issue and the Minister for coming into the House to take it. I have been writing to him and his predecessor for some time about it. I have been representing the views of parents who are constituents of mine in west Cork. I refer to Jessica O'Flynn who is 12 years old and Aoife Murray who is 17. These young girls are waiting operations on their spines. One of them has been waiting since January 2013, while the other, Jessica, has been waiting since October 2013.

I understand from Mr. Pat Kiely in Crumlin that under the current resource system, it will take up to two years to clear the current waiting list. Obviously, this cannot be allowed to continue. It is opportune, since the new service plan for the coming year is being drawn up by the HSE and we have just had the budget announced, to plead with the Minister to speak to the HSE to ensure the necessary resources are allocated to ensure the waiting list of spinal deformity cases is dealt with as a priority. It would be much appreciated.

The delay in treatment is leading to complications. I am not a medic, although I know the Minister is, but I understand from Mr. Kiely that in one of the cases mentioned the patient is starting to develop respiratory difficulties and that if we delay too long, the case may become a good deal more complicated. He went on to say he was optimistic that a single stage operation would correct the girl's deformity and that, once she had recovered from the surgery, her life would be quite different, as would her overall level of support and function.

These are real people, which is the reason I have named them. Real lives are being affected. It is more than a management issue, it is an issue for society. We must not neglect these children. As they are growing, the curvature of their spines must be dealt with. Therefore, I plead with the Minister to act. I look forward to his response.

See this speech in context