Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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216. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an update on the planned statutory inquiry into the care of children with spina bifida and complex scoliosis in Children’s Health Ireland; the progress that has been made in appointing a facilitator to consult with advocacy groups regarding the terms of reference; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6837/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Tánaiste and I met with the parents of Harvey Morrison Sherratt along with 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, I brought a Memo to Government on 18th November to proceed with a statutory public inquiry into spina bifida and complex scoliosis services and this was approved by cabinet. As an initial step, a facilitator will be appointed to consult with stakeholders and assist in defining the scope and potential terms of reference for an inquiry. I am actively engaging with the Attorney General and key stakeholders to appoint a senior counsel who will lead the scoping exercise. I aim to confirm the facilitator as soon as possible so that this important process can begin. 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.