Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I raised the issue of the national children's hospital in the Seanad last week and caused a division in the House by calling on the Minister for Health to attend to address why the hospital has not been progressing. I urge the Leader to use his power and political skills to urge the Minister to take a renewed look at the national children's hospital to ensure he brings a new focus to it and that the project goes ahead. The lapse we have seen has caused campaigners for alternative sites to increase their very aggressive lobbying of many Members of this House. It is not acceptable that these delays have caused a massive increase in this aggressive lobbying. It has taken away from the project. The excavation works have taken place at the St. James's Hospital site, the plans have been written up and the land has been flattened. This project is ready to go but, unfortunately, there are many lobbying groups out there looking for different sites. If the hospital goes to another site, what other site will be suggested after that? It has already been at the Mater hospital and the St. James's Hospital sites. The St. James's Hospital site is the right site and Fianna Fáil is 110% behind it. I urge the Leader to ask the Minister to take a fresh look at this today and progress this matter as a matter of urgency for the children of this country.

The second issue I wish to raise concerns waiting times for paediatric occupational therapy in Dublin city. A total of 158 children are on waiting lists for occupational therapy in Dublin South-Central alone, which is just one small part of the city. I urge the Minister for Health to look at this. These waiting times are unacceptable so more resources need to be allocated to early intervention. I ask that the Minister to look at this to ensure that funds are put in place. We are talking about children. It is not fair that they must wait so long.