Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent)
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119. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for scoliosis surgery in Galway University Hospital for 6, 12, 18, 24 and 48 months respectively. [10428/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge that waiting times are often unacceptably long and I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families.

Reducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities. Consequently, Budget 2017 allocated €20 million to the NTPF, rising to €55 million in 2018.

October's Budget announced a total 2018 allocation of €55m for the NTPF for 2018. This significant increase in funding more than doubles the 2017 total allocation of €20m. The NTPF and HSE are in the process of finalising Waiting List Action Plans and Initiatives for 2018.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.