Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is about capacity. In 2019 approximately 380 procedures were done. Last year approximately 464 were done. A higher number were done in 2022 with 509 spinal procedures.

The hiring of more healthcare professionals has happened in Crumlin and Temple Street children's hospitals and at Cappagh. A fifth theatre in Temple Street was opened in October of last year. An additional magnetic MRI scanner was installed in October 2023. Some 24 beds were provided, which are now all operational. There has been further activity in paediatric theatre lists at Cappagh. More cases have come on and more children have come on the list and so on. As far as I am concerned, we have to do whatever it takes to get the operations done in a timely manner.

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