I wish to raise with the Taoiseach ear, nose and throat, ENT, services for children and what is a wholly inadequate number of paediatric ENT consultants covering significant catchment areas. Consequently, we have lengthy waiting periods for children who need access to a service through the public system. It is my understanding that there is little or no ENT service locally in Cavan and Monaghan. Children, therefore, suffering with problems are totally dependent on consultants within Temple Street Children’s University Hospital. Even at that, there are currently only two full-time and two half-time paediatric ENT consultants in Temple Street hospital and those consultants are having their times split between the Mater hospital and Temple Street, as they deal with complex needs and very sick children. I ask the Taoiseach today whether he, together with the Minister for Health, will ensure that we redouble our efforts to get an increase of consultants within the service to reduce the waiting times for these very sick children.

I certainly will pursue that issue with the Minister for Health, who is concerned about waiting lists for children in general, and in particular, for the types of specialised services that the Deputy has referred to.