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

I cannot answer the Deputy's question about when progress might be made. As he is aware, much of what is contained in the reply relates to the future. I accept what the Deputy is saying on the development of a new children's hospital. We have to be ambitious for that hospital and to ensure that we have the full complement and range of services that the children deserve.

I am familiar with the particular issue the Deputy raised. A good friend of mine suffered from the relevant condition for many years. It is a very difficult illness to deal with and one that presents many challenges. I accept the point the Deputy makes about the challenges it presents into older life and that it can cost an awful lot more in later life in light of the surgeries required if an early intervention is not made. I also accept what the Deputy says about prioritising children. I very much agree that we should be prioritising services for children, earlier interventions, etc. The Deputy may rest assured that I will feed that back to the Minister and the Department, as well as his concerns about the fact that issues relating to the north west were not addressed in the reply.

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