Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This morning it was revealed, through the excellent work of "RTÉ Investigates", that nearly 60 families in the west have been issued apologies by the HSE as a result of failings in audiology services provided or not provided to their children. This is not the first time this issue has arisen. Last year, the HSE issued apologies to 49 children in the same region as a result of failings related to paediatric audiology services. At that time, and now, some of the children affected were left with lifelong impairments as a result of the failings of our health service.

The Taoiseach may have heard the story on "Morning Ireland" this morning of 11 year old James from Mayo. His parents were entirely unaware of his hearing impairment until they received a letter from the HSE in recent weeks apologising for the lack of care. Six years ago, James was in junior infants and his parents were reassured that his hearing was fine. He is now in fifth class and in the intervening period, he has had no treatment for his hearing impairment. We can only begin to imagine the impact that that has had on the child, socially, developmentally and educationally. It is shocking. I understand that there is now a look-back review into paediatric audiology services. This is the second such look-back review. At this stage, the parents and families in question have received no indication of how long this process will take to complete and, in any event, they have lost faith in it. They now require an independent inquiry and investigation into this mess. Will the Taoiseach agree to that? It is clear that our health services are failing all of us and our children.

Figures provided to my colleague, Teachta Louise O'Reilly, show the disgraceful delays for children in accessing speech and language therapy and occupational therapy. These waiting lists not only impact on children's lives in the here and now, but they have future implications too. Some of the worst delays for occupational therapy are in Mayo, where there are 138 children under five who have been waiting for more than a year for basic treatment. In Cavan-Monaghan, 523 children are on a waiting list. In Cork, 679 kids over five face delays for care. The window of opportunity for these therapies is short and the significant delays cause additional problems for children in the future and as adults. Will the Taoiseach agree to the inquiry as called for by the parents of James and others? Who is accountable for these waiting lists and delays for our children? Who is answerable? Is anybody answerable for this?

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