Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)

I thank my colleague for tabling this question. We recently had CHI and the HSE in the committee on this issue. In the Gallery were representatives of the hip dysplasia advocacy group. Afterwards, I met one of those dads in the car park, a young dad and an awful nice guy. He was in a ball of tears. I do not know this man. I had never met him before and he had never met me. That is the level of distress these parents are under - crying to a perfect stranger in the car park of Leinster House. It is not something I ever thought I would see or something I ever want to see again.

I ask the Minister for two things. First, will she meet with the hip dysplasia advocacy group? Second, the HSE gave me a commitment that day to make all supports available to the parents. I ask that each and every one of them be offered psychology or counselling supports, given the level of distress these parents are under.

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