Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

I assure the Deputy that the Minister and the Department are taking this very seriously. This is very serious, and we know that. Nobody wants anyone, particularly those children or their families, to be in this position today. I can guarantee that the Minister is very conscious of the concern that will be felt by all the patients and families affected. The audit process is nearly complete and she has been advised that it will be finalised and completed soon. She will then be in a position to comment further once the audit is published. I assure the Deputy that the she is committed to this, as are all of us in the Department of Health.

She is also committed to ensuring reform remains centred around putting children and their families at the very heart of this. I do understand. As I said, I have spoken to families in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny and I have seen the hurt and pain. I assure the Deputy that the Minister is committed to this, as we all are. We will come back to her with more information. I thank the her. It is important that we work together on this and make sure that the children and families are to the forefront of this, and they will be.

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