Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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1366. To ask the Minister for Health the expected timeline to reduce the waiting list for children requiring urgent scoliosis surgeries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3583/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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This Government is committed to ensuring ongoing improvements in paediatric orthopaedic services to ensure that children with scoliosis and spina bifida are treated quickly and safely.

There has been significant additional investment to help tackle waiting lists for spinal procedures. This has resulted in a significant increase in the number of spinal procedures carried out in recent years. In 2024, 513 spinal procedures were completed including national and international outsourcing. This level of activity represents a 10% increase compared to 2023, and a 35% increase compared to 2019.

Several initiatives are underway to support improvements in paediatric spinal services and reduce the time that children are waiting for spinal procedures. A dedicated Paediatric Spinal Surgery Management Unit was established last year to focus on delivering improvements to the spinal waiting lists. This Unit is working on improving capacity within CHI, expanding national outsourcing, and looking to maximise the international support. International outsourcing arrangements are in place with Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in New York and Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. Families are fully supported in accessing these pathways if it is the right option for their children.

As a result of these initiatives, in 2024, there was a 31% reduction in the number of patients waiting over 4 months on the active waiting list, from 78 in December 2023 to 54 in December 2024.

Spinal services will remain a priority for the Minister for Health under the Waiting List Action Plan in 2025.