Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming here to discuss this very important issue. The last time that I raised this question was in 2019 and at that stage, seven children in the mid-west were awaiting permanent long-stay beds.

I am working with a family who have a daughter aged 11 who is non-verbal and bedridden, and they have carers who come to the house. The family cares for their daughter in the best way possible but, unfortunately, as the girl gets older it is getting more difficult to provide care. The parents must now use a hoist and it takes several people to lift the child. These are not ideal circumstances.

I acknowledge that the Minister of State is committed to her children because of all that she has done since taking up office. On her latest visit to Limerick she visited St. Gabriel's and, in fact, that is where she met the child. The family is very much reliant on the wider family. The family provides care 24-7 and the only time they get a break is when they get a night's respite in their house. While they love their child dearly it has come to a stage where the mother is in need of an operation on her back and the parents are physically not able to provide care any more. This is a very serious situation but it is not just this case. A business case has been made to the HSE in CHO 3 regarding the provision of long-stay beds because many children find themselves in a similar situation.

When I raised this issue in 2019 there were seven children on the waiting list and I understand that that number has increased. A solution must be found. Somebody said to the mother that she should leave her daughter at the University Hospital Limerick, UHL, as hospital staff would have to deal with her. Parents love their children so much that they do not want to do that. Instead, they want to do what is right by their child and ensure that their child gets the care and attention that is needed. Unfortunately, no beds have been provided in Limerick that I am aware of since the last time that I raised this matter. The number of children in need of such care are growing and it is an issue that needs to be addressed.

As I have mentioned, recently a case was made to the HSE and the parents had to fill out forms, complete a survey and so on. There still has been no answer and there is no light at the end of the tunnel currently for these families. The issue needs to be addressed and I have every faith that the Minister of State will do her best.I look forward to hearing what she has to say.