Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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741. To ask the Minister for Health if scoliosis patients that require surgery can avail of treatment elsewhere if they have been waiting more than 18 weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35963/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The long-term strategy to develop sustainable scoliosis services 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 increased investment in the service in 2018 will stabilise and expand the current capacity to meet the demand for timely scoliosis treatment. In 2018, the Children's Hospital Group (CHG) aims to deliver 447 procedures, compared to 371 in 2017 and 224 in 2016.

The HSE operates two schemes which facilitate patients accessing treatments abroad. The first is the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) which applies where the treatment is not available in the Irish Republic hospital system.

The second is under the Cross Border Directive (CBD) and reimburses patients for treatments received in another EU/EEA Member State where the treatment is one which is provided in Ireland. The HSE provides information for patients on the CBD and TAS on its website which can be accessed at schemes and also through the HSE TAS and CBD Office. The contact details are: HSE TAS and CBD Office, St Canices, Laken, Dublin Road, Kilkenny, R95 P231. Ph: 056 778 4551. e-mail: treatmentabroadscheme@hse.ie. Patients should contact this HSE office to discuss the possibility of availing of either of the schemes.