Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise again the heartbreaking case of Ava Cahill, an 11-year-old old from Tallaght. She has spina bifida, which results in her feet being turned inward making everyday tasks very difficult. Putting on her shoes on a daily basis is a challenge. She needs help to put on her trousers. She has been left waiting for more than a year and a half for corrective surgery with her condition worsening on a daily basis. Imagine what it is like for her and her family. They do not even have a date for surgery to look forward to. Worse still, if her condition continues to deteriorate, it could end up being inoperable. She is just one of 649 children waiting for surgery, including 56 children with spina bifida. It is a national scandal.

The Taoiseach's earlier response seemed to suggest it is not the Government's problem and that the hospitals have the funds so why do they not just do it? I put it to the Taoiseach that this does not make any sense. We need to provide the resources to clear the waiting lists rapidly and build a top-quality Irish national health service.

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