Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue.

Tá a fhios agam go mbeidh Teachtaí tríd an Teach ag déanamh ómóis inniu do mo chara agus iar-chomhghleacaí Noel Treacy, atá imithe ar shlí na fírinne. I express my deepest sympathies to Mary and to the family on the death of Noel Treacy, who had a long and distinguished public life. He came into Dáil Éireann in 1982. He served as Minister in many portfolios, including at the Department of the Taoiseach and in roles with responsibility for European affairs and education and science. Aire tiomanta agus fíor-scrupallach a bhí ann. He performed a great public service throughout his life. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. Again, I express my deepest sympathies to Mary and the family.

I saw the piece on RTÉ at the weekend about children waiting for surgery and orthopaedic surgery. Additional funding has been made available to the health service and the HSE to address waiting times and waiting lists, for Crumlin, Temple Street and Cappagh. Children's Health Ireland, CHI, has the capacity to free up space so that complex orthopaedic procedures, including scoliosis and spinal fusion, can be carried out at CHI sites. It is not and should not be an issue of funding. It is unacceptable that children have to wait for so long for urgent surgery. Covid impacted on it. Hospitals received instructions prior to Christmas relating to public health advice to prioritise, for public health reasons, the capacity within hospitals for Covid and issues relating to the Omicron variant and during earlier surges. In 2022, €350 million has been made available to improve waiting times. That includes €150 million for the National Treatment Purchase Fund. Whatever immediate capacity measures can be developed should be developed, because the funding is there to do it.

I listened to Dr. Connor Green on the radio during the week. He stated that it is a priority that they be treated on CHI sites to facilitate follow-up on treatment for the child who has had surgery. I have sought a meeting with Children's Health Ireland about this, as well as with the HSE. Anything that can be done to reduce these waiting times for those who need urgent surgery has to and should be done. I want to get a proper assessment of waiting times for children on the list, how long individual children are waiting, and the reasons for that.

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