3558. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the total cost incurred by the HSE and her Department in funding overseas treatment for children with scoliosis in each of the past ten years, in tabular form. [56896/26]

I am cognisant of the challenges families have faced in relation to paediatric orthopaedic services, in particular spinal services, and I am actively driving multiple efforts to address these challenges.

Several initiatives are underway to help improve access to services including a ringfenced theatre, additional outpatient clinics, and national and international outsourcing to maximise capacity.

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.