Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

When I met Sophia's father on the way into Government Buildings on Tuesday, I spoke to him about the matter. I experienced some of the frustration which I am sure the Deputy has also experienced when speaking to him at the pressures he, his family and daughter are facing as a result of having to wait for surgery.

The long-term strategy to develop sustainable scoliosis services from 2018 has been prioritised by the Department of Health and the HSE in the 2018 HSE national service plan. An additional €9 million has been provided for the HSE in 2018 specifically to develop paediatric orthopaedic services, including further increasing access to scoliosis services. The Children's Hospital Group continues to progress the move towards implementation of a long-term, sustainable and safe paediatric orthopaedic service, including scoliosis services for children and young people. In July the group published the redesigned scoliosis ten-point action plan and an orthopaedic implementation group has been established to oversee its implementation. The action plan was developed with the participation of professionals, families and advocates. Importantly, it has ensured the voices of the children involved have been incorporated into it. The action plan contains commitments that the HSE and the Children's Hospital Group will, in 2018 and beyond, maintain the four-month target, which is international best practice for all patients who are clinically deemed to require surgery. In 2018 the Children's Hospital Group aims to deliver 447 procedures, compared to 321 in 2017 and 224 in 2016. The 2017 figure rises to 371 when 50 outsourced procedures are included. Activity levels to the end of August show that the Children's Hospital Group has delivered 279 surgeries, of which 135 were spinal fusions. Activity levels in the year to date are running slightly ahead of target.

Progress is being and will continue to be made. We will continue to put funding into these services, as necessary, in order to get back to where we need to be - a point at which we can meet international best practice standards in waiting times in order that we will not again hear the hugely emotive and difficult stories of Sophia and many other families who are traumatised and being damaged by the inability of the State to date to provide the services they should be expecting to receive.

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