Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this case. It is a case I am familiar with and it is a case on which I have engaged with both the Department and the HSE. As the Deputy will be aware, we allocated €19 million this year specifically to deal with paediatric orthopaedics, including very complex cases, scoliosis and spina bifida. I met with Children's Health Ireland, CHI, and the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh just yesterday. They have reported nearly a 50% reduction in the number of children waiting more than a year to date, which is very encouraging. There is about a 25% reduction in the number of children waiting in excess of four months. Our absolute goal and determination, and we are on track to meet it, is to bring the number of children waiting more than four months down to zero. I am meeting the Scoliosis Advocacy Network tomorrow. Everything that can be done for the young girl in our town will be done.

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