Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise with the Taoiseach the waiting lists for children's disability services in community healthcare organisation, CHO, 7. Nationally, the Taoiseach will be aware of the huge waiting times for assessment, diagnosis and treatment for children. In my area of CHO 7, the problem is particularly acute. We have some of the longest waiting lists in the country. We have had the reconfiguration of children's disability services, but we are still not seeing an improvement on the ground. In fact, in many instances, things just seem to be getting worse.

Children are left languishing on waiting lists while parents desperately wait for their child to be assessed or receive support. When I speak to these parents, I hear it in their voices. I hear the fear, desperation and panic. Can the Taoiseach provide them with an assurance that the Government is prioritising this and working to improve wait times and the standard of children's disability services, in particular in CHO 7? We know how important early intervention is. These parents and their children deserve that.

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