Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the people in the Visitors Gallery. It was fantastic to meet the children outside today. These wonderful, uplifting children tell us they are in pain. Some had a sign stating Stop the Pain.

The Minister talked about a big list as if he were surprised. This is the case with everything that comes up in the HSE, for some reason. There is a big list in the emergency department in Limerick. The Minister seems to have been surprised by that as well.

To return to the motion, scoliosis and spina bifida are extremely challenging, not just for the young people coping with the conditions but also for their parents and carers, who are usually the same people. The conditions can make everyday life more challenging, including when commuting and attending school. While there are obstacles that can be overcome, it is imperative that patients be given quick access to the necessary surgery.

It was really uplifting to see the kids outside the door, but not to hear their stories about waiting for years and the references to what former Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, said seven years ago, namely, that they would not be waiting for more than four months. We are now in a crisis. The current Minister tried to dismiss the matter by saying he has given money, but there is a list. It is almost as if he did not anticipate the growing population or advancing technologies. In University Hospital Limerick, which is in my city, 28 children have been on an inpatient waiting list for more than 12 months. Three hundred and thirteen children have been on an outpatient waiting list for more than 12 months. I mention these figures to demonstrate that the excessive waiting times for scoliosis and spina bifida related procedures are not outliers but part of the overall problem with waiting times for both children and adults alike. They need to be addressed. We do not have a sense of urgency on the part of the Government, including the Minister. It should not be the case that children have to sit in the Visitors Gallery on a February evening when I am sure they would be much happier at home with their friends and families.

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