Dáil debates

Wednesday, 13 October 2021

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions

 

12:10 pm

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

"It is a genuine scandal how many services which children rely upon have failed in recent years. The situation is by some distance worse than it was before. One look at the waiting list for scoliosis illustrates this". Those were the Taoiseach's words in 2017. I could also read others, but I will not bother. The former Minister, Deputy Harris, made a commitment regarding four months that was not honoured. It was that there would be a list and children would be prioritised after four months because of the complexity of what happens as regards the operations needed when there is no timely surgery. We all know it is a worse outcome.

I committed to raising this yesterday. I was driving a car when I heard this, and I got upset. I have a ten-year-old son who does not have these issues, but I would do absolutely anything to ensure he got the best treatment. That is what Christine and her family are doing. There are 172 children waiting for scoliosis treatment. They have to be the priority of the Taoiseach and this Government, above any small tax deductions or fivers here, there or anywhere.

The consultant paediatric orthopaedic surgeon, Conor Green, has very eloquently told the stories of how some of these children have very complex neurological disorders and they need absolute priority. Adam is one of them. Will the Taoiseach please ensure that happens. Yesterday's budget means absolutely nothing to me, tens of thousands watching this or, dare I say it, some people in this Chamber if we cannot deliver for those children.

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