Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State for acknowledging the great work the hospice does. I should have led by saying I remember that a few years ago, I heavily lobbied the then Minister for public expenditure - I think it was Michael McGrath at the time - about Marymount hospice, which does phenomenal work in Cork. It is now fully funded in the area of staff. An arrangement was done with section 38 and section 39 workers. It is now fully funded as an adult hospice. Going forward, the care delivered by the LauraLynn foundation deserves the same treatment that the Marymount hospice received a number of years ago when that agreement was made. I reiterate that generally, when it comes to illnesses in children, they tend to be rare diseases and conditions. They appear to be more complex. There are effects on siblings and the family, and life must go on while all of this is happening. They must continue to attend school and do the normal day-to-day things we all take for granted. The care they provide is in many ways more acute than other comparatives. I reiterate my call for the funding. It is one of the genuine asks that will be made. I also mention the children's palliative care policy, which the Minister of State referenced in his response. The only thing that gives me concern is that they are on about reviewing the 2009 children's palliative care document. The programme for Government commits to a new care policy, and not a review of an old one. I hope that will be reflected in the Minister's work ahead.

See this speech in context