Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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458. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on the work of the Paediatric Spinal Taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38652/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I established the Paediatric Spinal Taskforce in March 2024 and it is independently chaired by Mark Connaughton SC. The members of the taskforce comprise representatives from patient advocacy groups, the HSE, Children’s Health Ireland and the Department of Health.

The first meeting of the Taskforce was held on 2 May 2024. Taskforce members agreed to work collaboratively to drive improvements and enable all stakeholders to contribute to the overall improvement and development of paediatric spinal services.

At the third meeting of the Taskforce, the members endorsed a new Communications Plan that was developed by CHI after extensive input from the Taskforce. The Communications Plan aims to ensure that patients' voices are heard and valued, and is an important step towards restoring trust. The new Patient Panel, which will include patients, parents and patient advocates will review communications to families and the public.

I met with the Chair of the Taskforce recently and we had a positive engaging meeting where he updated me on the work of the Taskforce.

The Taskforce continues to meet regularly and the next meeting is scheduled for October.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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459. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on the work of the paediatric spinal surgery management unit in Children’s Health Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38653/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I want to acknowledge that waiting lists for scoliosis and spina bifida services are unacceptably long. I am acutely conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families.

I committed €19 million of current and capital funding to tackle these waiting lists by creating additional capacity. There was an increase in the number of spinal procedures carried out in 2022 and 2023, compared to 2019. The expected reduction in the waiting lists were offset by increases in demand and referrals compared to previous years. These services remain priority areas under the 2024 Waiting List Action Plan.

At my request, a dedicated Paediatric Spinal Surgery Management Unit was established earlier this year to focus on delivering improvements to the waiting lists. This Unit is working on improving capacity within CHI, expanding national outsourcing, and looking to maximise the international support.

A number of international outsourcing initiatives have been finalised. Children have been seen by clinicians from Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in New York, Great Ormond Street Hospital London and Portland Hospital in the UK.

I have also convened a dedicated stakeholder Paediatric Spinal Taskforce to collaboratively address concerns raised by families and advocacy groups.

I am chairing monthly meetings with the HSE and CHI to ensure that everything that can be done is being done.