Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Again, I thank to Senator for raising this issue. I am acutely aware of the distress and inconvenience caused to patients and their families when urgent care is delayed. Improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures is a priority. I will relay the Senator’s concerns and annoyance to the Minister and the Department.

It is recognised that waiting times for all scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the past 19 months as a direct result of Covid-19. There have been some positive aspects but the needs of the 172 young children need to be addressed as quickly as possible. I hope my officials in the Department will work closely with Children’s Health Ireland and the wider HSE to try to improve access to this treatment.

The Senator asked for a commitment to a timeline. I cannot give him one. However, I thank him for raising this difficult and important issue. I will relay his views to the Department and try to get him a response as quickly as possible.