Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State's commitment to take a personal interest in Oisín's case and to review the issues I have raised within his Department. In a reply to me in November, the Minister acknowledged that waiting times are often unacceptably long and that this places a burden on parents and families. It is a huge burden and people are at their wits' end. It is not just Oisín's family but many others as well. The Minister told me in his response to my parliamentary question that he had asked the HSE to investigate this case and issue a reply to me. I still have not received that reply from the HSE and nor has Oisín's family. I am asking the Minister of State, as part of his commitment to take a personal interest in this case and to review it, to follow up on that and ensure a reply is issued by the HSE as soon as possible.

This is a very serious case and it is unconscionable to leave wee Oisín waiting any longer for surgery. Every month that goes past, his situation gets worse. I am asking the Minister of State, taking all the necessary Covid-19 precautions into consideration, to work with the HSE to ensure that he is given an urgent date for surgery and that the surgery is carried out. In addition, as I have said, this is not just about Oisín. His situation is an example of what is happening. Will the Minister of State ask his Department officials to work with the HSE to ensure the waiting times for spina bifida supports and treatments are reduced in order that children like Oisín - little boys and girls - never have to suffer like this, when all they need is treatment and support? Unfortunately, the system does not have the capacity to deliver that treatment in a timely and supportive way at this point in time.

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