Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her response. Unfortunately I did not hear any notes of hope for scoliosis patients or for Sophie. She is representative of so many children with scoliosis and the frustration that they and their families feel. The State is robbing them of their childhood because of inefficiencies in the health system. That is not something we as a Parliament should be standing over.

Like many other children, Sophie suffers from 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. This is a disorder caused when a small part of chromosome 22 is missing. This deletion results in the poor development of several body systems. The effects on every child are different. This can cause mental health issues for one child and chest or heart issues for another. Many children can have this syndrome without even knowing they have it. This adds to the problem. Many children with scoliosis also suffer from 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. It complicates their condition and adds to the urgency of treating them.

It is not just spinal surgery they need; very often they require a whole suite of surgeries, operations and treatments. Like I said at the start, I just feel that the Minister and the Department are not putting in the required resources to ensure that children with scoliosis and children such as Sophie get the treatment they need so urgently.

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