I want to raise the desperate situation of children with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, whose young bodies are being destroyed and mutilated while they are waiting for scoliosis surgery, which they could get in a timed, definite and planned capacity if the Government were to provide Cappagh hospital with the pitiful €5.1 million it needs to help them. That sum is chicken feed in the context of the HSE budget. Experts such as Mr. Connor Green and Professor Damien McCormack appeared before the health committee and literally begged for this money so that they could put in place a plan to deal with these horrific waiting lists. The mothers of these children, several of whom are from north Kildare, were expecting an announcement before Christmas and they were devastated when it was not made. I am pleading with Government to provide the funding. I ask Government to listen to the experts, not the bean counters in terms of the budget, to ease the pain these children are going through and to give them a chance.

The Deputy raised an important and sensitive issue. I do not have up-to-date information for her, but I will let the Minister know that she raised the matter and ask him to come back to the Deputy directly on it.