Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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1012. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 149 of 18 May 2016, the reason for the delay in the opening of the new theatre in Crumlin hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24409/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My Department has been working closely with the HSE to address access to scoliosis services, particularly in Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin (OLCHC), which is the largest provider of scoliosis surgery for children and young people. Additional funding of €1.042m was allocated under the 2015 Service Plan to increase capacity at OLCHC, 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 theatre is currently being commissioned. The Children's Hospital Group is proactively working on nurse recruitment to support the opening of the new theatre.

The recently announced €40 million additional funding for the HSE Winter Initiative 2016/2017 also includes €2m provided specifically for scoliosis patients to treat 39 adolescent patients on the Tallaght waiting list and an additional 15-20 paediatric patients by year end. My Department will continue to work with the HSE and the relevant hospitals to ensure improvements in access to spinal surgery.

In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy in relation to the opening of the theatre, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.