Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

No bother. I asked for and got permission from the mother. There are no supports for children with a tracheal tube in Ireland. The local community has, as usual, been faultless with its support but these families should not have to do this. Nobody should be in such circumstances where they need to be fighting for this.

Access to rehabilitation can offer the best chance of recovery for someone like Amira to live the best quality of life which maximises her full potential and ability. To force her to travel to the UK for treatment at such a young age is wrong. There is an appalling lack of rehabilitation services in this country for those who have suffered life-changing injuries, for those who have had brain injuries and for those suffering from mental health issues requiring rehabilitation through no fault of their own.We have got to look at this. There was a plan in Sláintecare to look at this very issue and I hope my message today will be heard loud and clear that we have to examine funding for rehabilitation so those with acquired disabilities will reach a full life. It worries me that the mother in this case has made several attempts to meet with the HSE and it has refused her. I would like the Minister of State to set up that meeting. That is unfair on the child's mother and the family.

I also want to ask the Minister of State about another issue. I addressed this in the Seanad last week when the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, attended. I contacted the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, as I know did the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, about confirmation of the €62,000 for Holy Angels in Carlow to keep the centre going. There has also been a new plan for a school and I want to know the update on that plan. The HSE has made land available at Kelvin Grove for the new centre.