David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Despite all of the talk that comes from Government and the Minister regarding record investment, record staff, record capacity and all of that, we have children who are waiting. Last week, I raised with the Taoiseach the case of Liam Dennehy, who has been left waiting more than five months for his surgery. Unfortunately, his spinal curvature is going in the wrong direction. I also raised, on Tuesday, the case of Paddy Murphy, a 14-year-old who has been waiting for his surgery since 2020. There are many cases like that. Unfortunately, we are failing those children.

The Government made the promise, starting with the Taoiseach, then as Minister for Health, and continuing with the current Minister that no child would have to wait longer than four months.

Deputy McDonald asked the Taoiseach a number of weeks ago when the treatment abroad option would be resumed and what that would look like. We still have not received any clarity. The Deputy also asked about the Government funding a second opinion for families who are concerned about the clinical recommendations they are being given. Given that it is their child and given the length of time they are waiting, all of these options should be looked at. Can the Minister answer those specific questions An Teachta McDonald asked and that we still have not had a response to?

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