Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I again thank Deputy Brendan Smith for raising this important issue. He has hit the nail on the head; the key word here is an "active" recruitment campaign, which is most important in order that we can pursue the intensely long waiting list. I restate the gratitude of the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, to the staff and management of Children's Health Ireland for the delivery of services to patients during a particularly challenging year.

As I indicated already, routine activity was deferred in the earlier part of the year and, inevitably, scheduled activity was significantly impacted by the necessary decisions. However, Children's Health Ireland has been phasing up services since June and activity has been increasing. Children's Health Ireland has been working not only to return services to their previous levels, but also to continue the ongoing improvement in service delivery that will culminate ultimately in the move to the new children's hospital facility. This is reflected in the increased level of service for rheumatology outpatients, despite the effects of Covid-19, which has come about as a result of innovative approaches by the rheumatology team. The service will be further developed by additional resources and it is hoped that the recruitment campaign, which is due to close tomorrow, will result in the key additional consultant resource being recruited.

The information leaflet to which the Deputy referred, which was formulated between UCD and various parents, is an extremely good idea. There is no doubt that parents need to be listened to, as do their children. Communication is key. Awareness is most important. I will refer back to the HSE on the information leaflet and I will ask the HSE to write to the Deputy directly on the matter. I agree that it is a very good idea to roll that out for the information of parents who have children waiting for rheumatology services.

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