Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

When the Taoiseach meets with Children's Health Ireland, CHI, it will confirm for him that 649 children are waiting for scheduled or elective orthopaedic surgery, 56 of whom have been waiting between one and four years. I invite the Taoiseach to confirm for the House that he will instruct the Minister for Health and the HSE to release the necessary funding as a matter of urgency to ensure that this list is cleared and these children have the care they need.

I also wish to raise the issue of St. Brigid's District Hospital in Carrick-on-Suir. It was closed in the midst of Covid-19 with the promise that it would be reopened. Locals have learned that this reopening is not now going to happen. I commend their campaigning efforts. In fact, the local campaigners will be before the Joint Committee on Public Petitions today. They have gathered 11,000 signatures in support of reopening the hospital and seek a meeting with the Taoiseach. Will he agree to meet with the campaigners and ensure that the commitments made to retain services at St. Brigid's District Hospital are honoured?

See this speech in context