Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I fully endorse the comments of our party spokesperson, Deputy Donnelly, tonight and over the past week in respect of the CervicalCheck scandal. The way so many women were treated in respect of this important screening programme is scandalous. The withholding of information from those women is inexcusable and those responsible must be held to account.

I refer to the Disability Act 2005 in regard to the assessment of needs. It is laid down in law that a person is entitled to an assessment which is to begin within three months and to be completed within a further three months. That provision is not being met. In my constituency of Cavan-Monaghan there are huge delays for hundreds of children. I appeal to the Minister and to the HSE to ensure that the necessary therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech and language therapists are put in place to ensure that those children get an assessment and the follow-up support that is needed.

I recently spoke to the Minister again with regard to the emergency department in Cavan General Hospital. Some years ago we were promised an investment programme. It is not happening. I appeal to the Minister again to ensure that department, which is working well but which is under extreme pressure, is given the additional resources, physical infrastructure and upgraded and additional facilities to ensure that it can meet the demands of a growing population and annually increasing attendance.

With regard to Sláintecare, I took the opportunity in this House before to compliment those who contributed to that committee. There is one thing with which I was disappointed. There is no emphasis on the all-Ireland dimension to the provision of healthcare on our island. That is one item which is unfortunately missing from the Sláintecare report.

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