Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish the Ceann Comhairle and everyone else a happy Christmas.

Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital put a plan in place for orthopaedic surgery, especially for children with scoliosis, spina bifida and other conditions. The new plan put in place by Mr. Connor Green and his team estimates they will be able to increase output by approximately 400%. There are 100 children on their waiting list. I heard the Tánaiste and the previous Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, say in the House and in many an interview that they were going to solve this problem once and for all. That was three, four, five and six years ago. There are children who have been waiting for three, four and five years in acute pain. We have the HSE draft plan for 2022. In fairness to the current Minister of Health, he said changes can be made as it is a draft plan. Will the Government make sure funding is given to take those children out of the pain and misery they have endured over the past three, four and five years?

See this speech in context