Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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691. To ask the Minister for Health if there is a consultant paediatric urologist for children with spina bifida in Temple Street Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24470/13]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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692. To ask the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive will consider giving priority to the appointment of a research nurse for spina bifida at Temple Street Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24471/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 691 and 692 together.

The Children's University Hospital, Temple Street is the national tertiary care centre for spina bifida and hydrocephalus. All infants born in Ireland with spina bifida are transferred to Temple Street after birth for ongoing neonatal management by a multidisciplinary team which includes a consultant paediatrician with a special interest in spina bifida, a spina bifida nurse specialist and neurosurgery input.

In relation to the Deputy's query regarding the consultant paediatric urologist and research nurse posts, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.