Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Page 46 of the programme for Government pledges to invest in healthcare. In Wexford, we have no MRI scanner despite having raised €250,000 towards the project. There are 791 children who have been on the orthodontic waiting list for more than 48 months. We have two applicants for a psychologist position which is to be filled to serve the 40 children on the waiting list for child and adolescent mental health services. We cannot get those applications pulled out to receive a letter of offer. I am asking the Taoiseach to intervene on that issue. We cannot continue to allow these children to suffer. The 791 children on the orthodontic waiting list will ultimately end up with mental health problems. It is not so long ago that the Taoiseach and I were teenagers and we know how important teeth are. We know how important they are to children's confidence. Equally, it is important that children are seen by psychologists at an opportune time; not when it is too late. Early intervention is key. Please, Taoiseach.

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