Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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144. To ask the Minister for Health if she anticipates that a full public statutory inquiry into the treatment of children with scoliosis and spina bifida will commence in the new year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64196/25]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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167. To ask the Minister for Health when a full public statutory inquiry into the treatment of children with scoliosis and spina bifida will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64195/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 167 together.

The Tánaiste and I have met the parents of Harvey Morrison Sherratt twice (29th September and 12th November). Those discussions have been constructive.

These meetings have also been attended by some other advocacy groups and their legal representatives who have been calling for a public statutory inquiry into the spina bifida and complex scoliosis services at Children’s Health Ireland (CHI).

Arising from those discussions, on Tuesday 18th November I brought a Memo to Government, and it was agreed to proceed with a statutory public inquiry into spina bifida and complex scoliosis services.

As an initial step, the Government agreed that a facilitator will be appointed to consult with stakeholders on scoping the content of potential terms of reference for an inquiry. My Department will consult closely with the Office of the Attorney General on progressing this exercise.

This will be a time-bound exercise, but there is a considerable body of work to be undertaken to ensure that we ultimately have the clearest possible terms of reference for a statutory inquiry. It is important that the many issues raised are carefully considered as to what may be the best way to achieve the outcomes sought by families and other stakeholders.

Once this scoping exercise is complete, further Government approval will be sought for the final terms of reference.