Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the concerns the Deputy has raised. As I stated, despite every effort being made, the hospital has not been successful to date in recruiting the necessary specialist required to provide a routine 20-week anomaly scan service. I will certainly bring back the Deputy's concerns about this. I will also bring back her concerns in regard to the Minister meeting the Whelan family. As a mother and grandmother, I know pregnancy is a very stressful time for the woman and the man in such cases and a 20-week scan gives some assurance to expectant parents that everything is okay. It is unfortunate the problem seems very much to be finding the proper specialist to provide the anomaly scan service. I will bring the Deputy's concerns to the Minister, particularly in regard to meeting the Whelan family.

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