Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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399. To ask the Minister for Health the cohort of scoliosis patients that will have access to a facility (details supplied) under outsourcing initiatives; the way in which this initiative will work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27888/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The long-term strategy to develop sustainable scoliosis services from 2018 has been prioritised by my Department and the HSE in the 2018 HSE National Service Plan. An additional €9 million has been provided to the HSE in 2018 specifically to develop paediatric orthopaedic services, including further increasing access to scoliosis services.

The Children's Hospital Group (CHG) committed to a two-year service development plan to implement an orthopaedic service that provides timely access for Outpatient and In-Patient services. The HSE has confirmed that as part of this plan it will maintain the 4-month target in 2018 and beyond, which is international best practice, for all patients who are clinically deemed to require surgery now.

In relation to the specific use of the facility outlined in the question, I have asked the HSE to provide me with a response to the issue and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as the answer becomes available.