Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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112. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for corrective surgical procedures for scoliosis; the number that have been waiting for three, six, nine, 12, 18 and 24 months; the progress being made to ensure the necessary posts are filled to ensure these surgeries take place; if alternatives have been considered to ensure that these surgeries take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20930/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Scoliosis affects approximately 1% of children and adolescents in Ireland. The management of scoliosis is complex and is determined by the severity of the curvature and skeletal maturity. As of 30 June 2016, there were 189 patients aged 18 and under awaiting a procedure in hospitals in Ireland, specifically Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin (145), Children's University Hospital Temple Street (33), Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital (2) and Tallaght Hospital (9).

145 patients were waiting less than 12 months, of whom 42 were waiting under three months, 47 waiting between three and six months and 56 waiting between six and 12 months. 23 patients were waiting between 12 and 15 months and 21 patients were waiting longer than 15 months.

There are particular service pressures in Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin, which is the largest provider of scoliosis surgery for children and young people. In order to address these pressures, additional funding of €1.042m was allocated under the 2015 Service Plan to increase capacity, and an additional orthopaedic surgeon, anaesthetist, and support staff are now in place with recruitment of a further additional orthopaedic surgeon underway. Capital funding was also provided for a new theatre on site to expand theatre capacity further, and this is currently being commissioned. The Children's Hospital Group is proactively working on nurse recruitment to support the opening of the new theatre.

In addition, significant external capacity for patients awaiting scoliosis procedures at OLCHC was sourced in 2015, and 66 patients have been treated in other hospitals including the Blackrock Clinic and the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital at Stanmore. Further potential for external capacity to address waiting times is being examined. My Department will continue to work with the HSE and the relevant hospitals to ensure all options to improve access are explored.