Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Basically, this is an issue about co-ordination. A parent who contacted me said that in the Cork area there has been a failure to provide regular and comprehensive kidney and bladder assessments to ensure early detection of problems in renal function. This problem needs to be addressed immediately. The failure to address the problem will lead to increased numbers of people with renal failure and they will require dialysis for the rest of their lives at a great cost to the State. The parent concerned has suggested that even the simplest of procedures which should be available is not available in the Cork area at the moment. Will the Minister of State relay this to the Minister for Health? I will write to the Minister myself on the matter. However, there seems to be a falling down in the follow up. The service is not available in Cork and I presume that is because the unit in Dublin is under pressure as well there is a difficulty with trying to co-ordinate with London.

The post of paediatric urologist is a specialist function. I realise the HSE intends to re-advertise the post but with all due respect the likelihood of the post being filled is rather remote. I am being blunt about it but this is the word I am getting from the medical profession. We need to consider the long-term plan for the next three or four years. We should plan now rather than live in a false sense of hope that the position will be filled and I call on the Minister to ensure this.