Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I do not take heart from the statement as it outlined what I already know. The issue is one of resources and the Minister for Health has not given a date for the administration of Spinraza. While the Minister does not have a role in the workings of the HSE, he has a role in ensuring that drugs that are approved are then administered. We need a date for these children notwithstanding the complexities the Minister of State outlined.

It is not true that all of the patients who have been approved for Spinraza treatment are being treated under special care because they are not. The Minister of State referred to spinal rods and what is already being done. I appreciate the complexity involved in those cases but children who have not had spinal rods inserted have not been given the treatment either. I ask that the Minister take up this matter and ring-fence resources available to Temple Street Hospital in order that these 11 children can get the drug. After all, it has been purchased and is available and the consultants are ready to do the work. They need the resources to do so. I ask for a date. I am not going to let this matter go. Grace is just ten years old and I will not repeat what she is asking but we owe her answers.