Louth TD says children waiting on complex orthopaedic care 'failed' by State
Deputy Ó Murchú said children had been left in 'inhumane conditions'
The problems faced by Dundalk parents whose children are waiting on complex orthopaedic care in the Children’s Hospital was raised in Leinster House last week by Louth Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú who spoke on his party’s motion about the issue.
The Dundalk deputy said children had been left in “inhumane conditions” and the State had “absolutely failed some of the most needy of our citizens”.
Deputy Ó Murchú said it was good to meet some of the children and their parents outside Leinster House, who had travelled to Dublin to hear the Sinn Féin motion being debated.
The Louth TD commented: “I do not know how they keep going. Our requests are straightforward, including a task force that is sufficiently independent and can do the business.
“The Minister [for Health] spoke about a dedicated spinal surgery service or management unit. We need to see it. We need to see timelines for delivery, because the people who need it are Ada, her mother Paula and the rest of the family who are here from Dunleer. There is also Kirsty Rose from Dundalk, whom I met and who I spoke to about Daisy and Layla.”
Deputy Ó Murchú continued: “As time goes on and they spend more time on waiting lists, they worry that their conditions will become worse and that the possibility of an operation will become that bit more distant.
“We do not know what the long-term ramifications will be. We need solutions and timelines. We really need to stop the pain. None of this is good enough. Once again, we have absolutely failed those families and children. We need to do better.”
The Sinn Féin TD added: “I do not know how anyone that side of the House can say 'we are offering solutions, but we realise that what has happened to date has not been good enough'.
“We really need delivery. I do not like making these kinds of speeches. It is an abject failure when people have to travel to Leinster House to talk to politicians about these issues. We need to deliver for them, and we need to do so now.”