Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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654. To ask the Minister for Health her immediate plans to help alleviate the backlog of children with scoliosis waiting for surgery. [4401/25]

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

There has been significant additional investment to help tackle waiting lists for spinal procedures. 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.

These initiatives have supported an increase in activity and a decrease in the time children are waiting for their surgery. In 2024, activity increased by 10% compared to 2023, and over the year the number of children actively waiting over 4 months reduced by 37%. Spinal services will remain a priority under the Waiting List Action Plan in 2025.