John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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685. To ask the Minister for Health if he plans to reintroduce screening for scoliosis in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48183/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Decisions about population based screening programmes will be made on the advice of the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC). This independent expert group considers the evidence for changes in a robust and transparent manner. The Committee’s role is to undertake an independent assessment of the evidence for screening for a particular condition against internationally accepted criteria and make recommendations accordingly. This ensures policy decisions are informed by the best available evidence and advice.

The NSAC is currently finalising plans for its first ‘annual call’ which will be announced later this year. Proposals for new population based screening programmes and modifications to existing programmes will be welcomed from the public as well as the HSE, health professionals and other professional bodies.

Further information on the 'annual call' will be published on the NSAC website.

In recent years there has been an increased investment in paediatric orthopaedics and scoliosis services, which has improved access to surgery and outpatient appointments.

In 2018 Children’s Health Ireland (CHI; previously the Children’s Hospital Group) was provided with an additional €9 million in funding to address paediatric orthopaedic waiting lists, including the provision of scoliosis services. Scoliosis activity accounts for 20% of overall orthopaedic activity across CHI.