The Government has been accused of “neglecting” a nine-year-old boy who may “never be able to walk again” as he is yet to receive physio following a hip operation.
The case of Harry Kirwan, from Clondalkin, Dublin, was raised in the Dail with Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe yesterday. Sinn Fein’s Pearse Doherty said the young boy, who is non-verbal and has cerebral palsy, has been unable to access physiotherapy services available in his school because he lives in a different area.
This is despite the fact he underwent “serious hip surgery” last year. Mr Doherty said: “In order to be able to stand and walk again, he needs physiotherapy. Although physiotherapy is available in [his school], Harry cannot access this service.
“His family and teachers have told us that, because of the delay in accessing physiotherapy, Harry may never be able to walk or stand again. Why is this being allowed to happen? How can the Government continue to neglect young children of this nature and how can it be justified?”
Minister Donohoe said the Health Minister had committed to “making contact on this issue to understand why this is happening and what can be done to give Harry and his fellow students the start [we] want to make sure they can have”.
