Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The way in which this case was handled points to the wider issue of a culture problem, the same culture problem that we have seen play out in RTÉ and the same culture problem that saw €19 million of funding redirected from vital children’s services, and we still do not even know where that went. The pattern is fast emerging. The Government spent a record €2.4 million transporting students to school by taxi in County Clare last year but cannot put timetables at bus shelters. The Government cannot afford a 90-minute Leap card travel window outside of Dublin but preaches regional balance. The Government has children waiting more than two years for vital scoliosis surgery when only 10% of children are receiving their assessments of need within the statutory six months. Families are facing huge costs for private assessments. They must be reimbursed and not foot the bill for Government failure.

With regard to UHL, the HIQA review is a delaying tactic. We need a commitment from the Government for an additional emergency department in the mid-west and for that to be specifically in County Clare. It is the only hospital dealing with such a huge population.

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