Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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448. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a medical procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43689/18]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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450. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43695/18]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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451. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43702/18]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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453. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons aged 16 to 21 years of age waiting for spinal surgery in the Mater Hospital; the wait times experienced by these children and young adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43705/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 448, 450, 451 and 453 together.

The long-term strategy to develop sustainable scoliosis services from 2018 has been prioritised by the Department and the HSE. The Children's Hospital Group, with the additional €9 million provided to the HSE in 2018, has continued to progress the move toward the implementation of a long-term sustainable and safe paediatric orthopaedic service, including scoliosis services for children and young people.

In terms of capacity, Children's Hospital Group (CHG) aims to deliver 446 procedures this year, compared to 371 in 2017, and 224 in 2016. This represents an increase in activity of 99.5% since 2016.

In terms of the operational issues raised by the Deputy, including wait times for first spinal assessments; waiting times for growth rod insertion; MRI wait times at OLCHC and TSCUH; and the number of those between the ages of 16-21 at MMUH, I have asked the HSE to prepare a direct response.