Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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274. To ask the Minister for Health whether she has spoken to the Health Service Executive on the topic of waiting lists for MRI scans under sedation for children; if she will confirm receipt of correspondence from a person (details supplied); if she considers the delay and expense incurred to be acceptable; if she will raise this case specifically with the Health Service Executive; if she will ensure the family are compensated for the failure of the State in this case and for the cost of travel for treatment outside the State; and the steps she will take to ensure the Health Service Executive does not fail similar children in the future. [15862/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware I cannot comment on an individual case. However receipt of the correspondence referred to by the Deputy has been acknowledged by my Department and a response to the matters raised is being prepared. I understand that many of the issues raised are for my colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth who was also sent the correspondence.

I acknowledge that many patients are still waiting too long for hospital appointments and treatments and I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families.

On February 12 I published the Waiting List Action Plan (WLAP) for 2025, representing this Government’s commitment to reducing waiting times for patients and improving access to hospital care. With the 2025 plan, we will continue to build upon the progress delivered to date under the multi annual action plan approach, progressing towards the ultimate vision of a public healthcare service in which everyone has timely access to high-quality scheduled care, where and when they need it.

In responding to the correspondence received, my Department will request that the HSE responds directly to the individual in relation to the operational matters raised.