20. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the number of persons in receipt of the basic income for the arts payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51546/25]

Sentiment score: 0.03

82. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the scoliosis waiting list for surgery at CHI hospitals at present; and the steps she is taking to reduce waiting lists. [51548/25]

Sentiment score: 0.03

It is now eight years since the Minister's predecessor, Simon Harris, said that no child would be left waiting for longer than four months for a scoliosis operation. This time last year I asked him how many children had been taken off operation waiting lists without their parents knowing. He stated he would find out. However, as yet, there is no evidence that he has found out and let us know. Does the Minister know how many children were taken off the waiting lists without parents knowing, in a similar manner as to what happened with Harvey Sherratt?

Sentiment score: -0.12

The Minister must admit it is quite shocking that it will take 14 months for a question asked in September 2024, about how many children have been taken off waiting lists without their parents knowing, to be answered. It points again to the dysfunction. I welcome that the Minister has met with parents about this. That is a good thing. The Minister mentioned money going into this section. Some €11.6 million was provided to outsource operations abroad for children who need it. As of now, there is no child scheduled for operations abroad. This shows that while money is being provided, it is meaningless if it is not making a practical difference to the lives of these children. The 2024 report of CHI has also not been published. That is scandalous. The 2023 report, in fairness, states that CHI is sitting on approximately €36 million at the moment. My understanding is that it is not spending it because that money has been assigned to fit out the new children's hospital.

Sentiment score: -0.06

Is that the case? The Minister might answer that.

Sentiment score: 0.00

I think the Minister understands this perfectly well. Given that it has been so hard to get information from CHI over the last number of years, anything less than a statutory inquiry into the lack of care for children on scoliosis waiting lists is not going to get to the truth. The fact that there has been no information forthcoming from the individuals involved means that if we cannot compel people and papers to find out the truth on this, we are simply not getting to the facts. I have been here for a while and I have heard of inquiries being announced in tandem with campaign groups, and it being said that the terms of reference will be agreed by the campaign groups. However, when it comes to the inquiry being set up there has been a separation from the actual campaigns. Will the Minister ensure there is no such separation from the families, and that the terms of reference of such an inquiry are fully in sympathy with the needs of the families when they are announced?

Sentiment score: 0.33