Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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284. To ask the Minister for Health if extra consultant paediatric rheumatology consultants will be appointed in order that the World Health Organization's guidelines of six for the population is met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19745/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am aware that there are challenges in meeting the growing demand for paediatric rheumatology services, and that the Health Service Executive is working towards improving access to such services. Funding for additional paediatric rheumatology consultant posts will need to be considered in the first instance as part of the 2019 Annual Estimates Process in the context of competing priorities for service development funding.

In relation to current rheumatology service provision, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.