Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

In respect of Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin and the Deputy's question on scoliosis, she is probably aware that happily, as with social protection and the previous discussion, a lot of additional money has been allocated to the health budget, both for this year and, better still, for next year. A total of well over €800 million has been allocated, much of which will go to hospitals. The Deputy also is aware the Government has made an allocation for a significant capital investment to build a new children's hospital. I certainly know children and individuals with this condition and the Deputy's observations are correct, as it is a condition that requires long-term care and long-term monitoring, particularly when it is identified early in childhood.

I do not have to hand a detailed answer to the Deputy's question in the context of this discussion but I undertake to get information and to revert to the Deputy. However, in the context of additional expenditure of more than €800 million in health in funding for this year and for next, as well as in respect of the capital investment programme, there should be scope to improve the numbers of operations and to improve the waiting times as this is a very important factor in the treatment of growing children who have this condition. I will raise the issue raised by the Deputy with the Minister for Health and will provide her with a more detailed reply.

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