Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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120. To ask the Minister for Health the reason there is a two-year waiting list for MRI with sedation for children in Dublin. [6289/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In relation to the particular query raised, Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) has advised my Department that there are currently 997 patients waiting for an MRI under general anaesthetic, with the average length of time spent on the waiting list 18.3 months.

CHI historically have had two MRI scanners – one on the Temple Street site and one on the Crumlin site.

CHI have recently established two additional MRI units to address the capacity challenges for children on their waiting lists. The construction for the second MRI in Crumlin is now completed and the MRI is in the process of being commissioned. The second MRI in Temple Street is in place and is currently operational.

CHI has further advised that there is a National shortage of radiographers which is creating challenges for CHI in terms of fully realising the capacity of the additional MRI’s, however recruitment is ongoing with shortlisting for interviews scheduled in the coming weeks.

CHI continues to make full use of 3rd party outsourcing providers to accommodate routine scans, which is an ongoing initiative.