Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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935. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2993 of 29 July 2025, to provide further details with respect to a tender for paediatric orthopaedic procedures for conditions such as spina bifida and scoliosis (details supplied); the services being tendered for; if this relates to the international outsourcing initiative [52101/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As a Government priority, significant additional investment has been allocated to help tackle waiting lists for spinal procedures by increasing capacity. Several initiatives are underway to help improve access to services including international outsourcing.

Since international outsourcing started in 2024, 19 patients who were considered suitable have had surgery completed abroad. For these 19 patients a total of 25 procedures were completed (15 in 2024 and 10 in 2025). Families are fully supported in accessing these pathways if it is the right option for their children.

As your query relates to an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.