Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his foresight in seeing where I was trying to get with the question, which is about the issue of deferrals and delays. I can give the Minister the good news that Fidelle actually has an appointment now. I would just make the point that she had three disappointments. On three occasions, she had to isolate from her family. She had three cancellations. This is distressing for people, but she has come out the other side of it now and she is getting that appointment.

On the same issue, I just want to talk to the Minister about Daire, who is ten years of age and is from County Monaghan. He is a child who was born with no arms. He is missing the femur bones in both of his legs and he is a wheelchair user. Yesterday, I listened to his mother tell a heartbreaking story of his problems with delays and deferrals. He is waiting for a hospital appointment for orthopaedic surgery in CHI at Temple Street. It was cancelled on four occasions. She told a story of the excruciating pain, the deep distress and the continuous pain that this child is in, while he is waiting for this surgery. I know that our hospitals are under pressure but, again, it comes back to the issue of deferrals and delays. They are really not acceptable.

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