During statements on waiting lists a number of months ago, I urged the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, to reinstate a very simple check for children in primary schools to identify scoliosis and intervene where it is identified. This had been carried out by primary health nurses until 2008. It was withdrawn from schools due to austerity measures. When I put the question to the Minister he said it seemed logical to reintroduce that simple check carried out by primary health nurses. I asked this question of the Taoiseach a number of weeks ago and he said he would have a look at it. The Minister stated he would undertake to have a look at it in the action plan he was drawing up, which was due to be published at the end of February but we have not seen it. We have not seen any commitment as to whether this simple check will be reinstated in primary schools so the early identification-----

Is this a programme for Government commitment?

It is. In A Programme for a Partnership Government there is a commitment to tackle serious issues in the health service, and certainly this is a very serious issue with regard to scoliosis, which has been widely debated in the Chamber.

The Deputy has made his point.

Given that it is a serious matter, despite the fact it is not a legislative matter I will have the Minister respond to the Deputy. Quite a number of changes have been made in respect of scoliosis and the treatment of children with scoliosis in recent weeks and the Deputy is aware of this. This is an improvement for their particular challenge and difficulties. There are still others that need to be attended to. I will have the Minister respond to the Deputy in respect of the simple check.