Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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2370. To ask the Minister for Health the steps her Department has taken to resolve the reported postponement of child surgeries by CHI (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20513/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge that it is very disappointing and disruptive for families when a child’s surgery is cancelled or rescheduled.

Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) has advised that every cancellation is taken seriously and acknowledge the stress and logistical challenges this creates for children and their families. Unfortunately, some cancellations are unavoidable, particularly when the paediatric intensive care units (PICU) are in surge and beds are not available.

The PICU beds in CHI cater for all children in the country requiring intensive care and the cardiac surgery for the island of Ireland. These beds are prioritised for the sickest children and patient safety must come first.

In these situations, decisions are made based on clinical urgency, and regrettably, that can mean postponing planned surgeries. If this happens, the patient’s team will let their family know as soon as possible, and their surgery will be rescheduled.

As these are operational matters, I have also asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.