Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I appreciate her undertaking on that.

What is most disappointing is that the Department or agency has not come back with any indication or commitment on whether the children attending the service at St. Joseph's can now access the same service in Mullingar or Roscommon, which at most will be 20 or 30 miles away. It is also extremely troubling that while a derogation was sought in November 2023 to replace the permanent post from which the orthoptist resigned in October 2023, it still has not been approved. I agree with the Minister of State that it is critical to have this matter resolved.

While we are bandying around job titles and descriptions, the reality is that at the back of all this, and really affected by it, are a large number of young children. I will give examples. Rían, a determined little boy who will be five in December, was attending a private practice in Dublin where he was advised to wear an eye patch daily. He was referred to Roscommon to have a review appointment in July. When his family contacted the service in Longford, they were told it was not available anymore. Emma, who is now seven years old and is a fun-loving young girl, enjoyed attending the service in Longford and was making incredible progress. However, when her family checked on her July appointment, they were advised the service was no longer available and directed to seek a private consultation.

It is unacceptable for these parents and for rural Ireland.

I appreciate the Minister of State's commitment. I ask her and the Minister for Health to work with us to ensure the derogation is lifted and we can fill that post in Longford but also, more importantly, the children attending those services can access the same service in Mullingar and Roscommon until the post is filled.

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