Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The knee-jerk reaction or response to anything that goes wrong - to call for people to be sacked or removed from a board - does not help anybody. It does not actually change the fact that we need to make progress, that we need people in place to be able to make sure the children's hospital can open, and that we need to make sure any recommendations coming from the reports we have discussed today can be implemented in order that there is accountability. Sacking everybody makes absolutely no impact and has no positive impact on any of the young people the Deputy mentioned and their families.

The Deputy never recognises or acknowledges that significant investment has gone into our health services in recent years. Our health budget has increased by nearly 40% in recent years. There will always be challenges we need to overcome and areas where we need to do better, but a 40% increase in our budget shows that this is an absolute priority for this Government. Some 28,000 people have joined the health workforce in recent years. More people than ever are being treated by our healthcare service. Progress is being made on waiting lists. We have more people in hospital beds than ever before and more people who are getting hospital beds than ever before.

When it comes to scoliosis and spina bifida, I acknowledge that this is the most traumatic and difficult experience that any young person could go through. This is their life and what they have to deal with, which is why it has been a focus and a priority for this Government. In recent years - this is included in the 40% I have mentioned - some €30 million has been allocated to help to tackle waiting lists for spinal procedures. Last year alone, some 513 spinal procedures were completed, which is a 10% increase on the year before. Of course we want to do more, but there has been a 35% increase since 2019. We are making progress. It is important for the Deputy to acknowledge that there is progress and that investment is being made. A dedicated paediatric spinal surgery management unit was established in CHI just last year, in 2024. It is working to co-ordinate services, implement strategies, drive continuous improvement and address any challenges. On top of this, we have a ring-fenced theatre in Crumlin that provides additional capacity for spinal surgeries, as well as outpatient clinics that are taking place where spinal outpatients are being seen. A lot of work is happening but there is a lot more we need to do.

With regard to what happened this week and the HIQA report, it is absolutely appalling. It is appalling that equipment or devices that are not medically approved and that are corrosive would have been put into the body of anybody, let alone a small child. Every single thing that can be done, in terms of the overhaul of structures of management systems that are in place but need to be changed and improved, will happen. The Minister for Health is working very closely with the CEO of the hospital, the HSE, the Department of Health and the Government to make sure that is the case. This is a priority for this Government. Supporting and protecting young people and children and making sure they get the very best healthcare, which they are entitled to and they deserve, will continue to be a priority for this Government.

See this speech in context