Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

The Government has repeatedly stated that it does not want to see a drip feed of information about the audit of hip surgeries at the three children's hospitals but that is what we are getting. Any information about the scandal has had to be dragged out of the Government. Yesterday, responding to me, the Taoiseach confirmed for the first time that he expected the audit to be finalised next week. Why did it take so long to provide this basic information, which families have been spending months trying to get? It also took until yesterday to reveal that more than 2,200 families have now received letters as result of the audit. On Tuesday, the Taoiseach did not even know the correct reason those letters had been sent.

Unnecessary and painful surgery on young children is horrific. The impacts of these surgeries can be hugely traumatic. Families are devastated to find out this has happened to their children. Parents who have contacted me do not know where to go to get their questions answered. At the very least, the Government must address this now. The lack of basic information, the level of inaccurate information and the drip feed of information coming from the Government is not acceptable. Why is the Government keeping families in the dark until the final audit is published?

On foot of the draft audit, a number of measures have already been taken. More than 2,200 letters have been sent out to families, a multidisciplinary team of clinicians is already reviewing cases and an action plan has been put in place. A lot of things are happening in the background but what we are not getting is upfront or complete information about it. This is causing considerable distress for families who are desperate for information. The entire process has been dealt with shambolically by the Government. Families have been left in the dark and this needs to end now.

The Taoiseach told me yesterday that he expected the audit to be finalised by the end of next week. Does this mean parents will have it in their hands next week? What day will they receive it? Can the Minister outline the full list of recommendations that have already been put into place at Children's Health Ireland and Cappagh as a result of the audit? Will the Minister for Health answer questions next week in the Dáil when the audit is finalised? Will the Minister for education give me a commitment on that?

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