I raise the issue of scoliosis in children again, which the Ombudsman for Children has stated is a children's rights issue. While I think the whole country was relieved and delighted to hear that Adam Terry received his appointment, thousands of children are waiting for their first consultation with their orthopaedic surgeon and 179 children like Adam are waiting for surgery. I recognise there have been issues with Covid and the cyberattack but what will happen for those children? What additional measures has the Government put in place to ensure those children will be seen within the four-month time limit that was promised for them in 2017 and which has been a policy of Government since?

I accept the basic premise that we do not want children waiting for operations, surgery and assessments unduly. We want surgery to happen in a timely matter, particularly for scoliosis and other conditions. There has been an increase in capacity, an extra surgeon in Temple Street and so forth, but we need to do more. Children's Health Ireland is in discussions with the HSE and the Minister on adding further capacity to make sure children can get procedures and surgery in a timely manner and we get the best outcome for the child. That is not happening at the moment. It needs to happen and that is what we are committed to doing.