David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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701. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children with spina bifida waiting for an orthopaedic or urology procedure at the end of August and at the end of September 2022; the number waiting greater than six months and 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49880/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Reducing waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures remains a commitment of this Government. Earlier this year I approved an ambitious plan for Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) to reduce the number of children waiting for spinal orthopaedic procedures (scoliosis and spina bifida) by year end. Both current and capital funding totalling €17.43 million was approved for this initiative.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.