Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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2279. To ask the Minister for Health if she will commit to the establishment of a statutory inquiry into the governance of Children’s Health Ireland in relation to paediatric spinal surgery delays and oversight of orthopaedic services; and if the scope of such an inquiry will include accountability for unmet ministerial commitments. [45444/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Paediatric spinal services are a priority under the Waiting List Action Plan and are overseen by the Waiting List Action Plan Taskforce.

As a priority, significant additional investment has been allocated to help tackle waiting lists for spinal procedures. Progress has been made with additional theatre capacity, additional resources, extra outpatient clinics, and national and international outsourcing already in place. Further improvements are underway including the onboarding of additional orthopaedic surgeons and improved referral pathways. So far this year, 303 spinal procedures have already been completed, up from 258 for the same period last year, demonstrating a clear increase in activity and capacity.

As of end July 2025, 74 children had been waiting more than three months for care on Children’s Health Ireland’s active spinal waiting list, meaning 44% of those on the active waiting list were within the Sláintecare targets. This marks a significant improvement from August 2024, when 108 children were waiting over three months, which was 28% within the Sláintecare targets. 

I have moved to strengthen governance and oversight structures at CHI. This was done via the appointment of three members of the HSE Board to the Board of CHI. Two on 28 May, and one on 8 July.

Recognising the need to co-ordinate oversight of the range of matters of focus in CHI in a cohesive fashion, the HSE CEO has established the HSE CHI Improvement Steering Group. This Group is co-ordinating across a number of projects including the implementation of recommendations from completed reviews, upcoming reports, spinal services, and the commissioning of the new hospital. 

On 10 June, the HSE CEO formally commissioned an audit of governance and equity in patient access and waiting list management at CHI.  The audit aims to assess governance and equity in access to care within CHI, especially regarding the balance between public and private patient management. The outcome of this audit is expected in the coming months.