A major review into spinal surgeries at Temple Street Children's Hospital is now looking at approximately 35 cases, the Health Minister has told Newstalk Breakfast.
An internal review carried out last year uncovered serious spinal surgery incidents, including the death of one child and others who experienced serious post-operative complications.
It emerged that unauthorised springs had been used in three patients.
The Government called in a UK expert Selvadurai Nayagam to carry out an independent review.
Reports this morning suggest he has found 17 extra cases of concern.
On Newstalk Breakfast, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said he is examining a total of around 35 cases.
"I think what it really does is it underlines the importance of bringing Mr Nayagam in," he said.
"CHI commissioned two reports into this originally; neither the Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry and myself, we were not satisfied with those reports.
"So we commissioned Mr Nayagam to come in and do a full belt and braces report.
"Whilst I fully understand people's concern, what we're seeing I think is the strength of this independent review - they really are leaving no stone unturned".
Temple Street Children's Hospital, Dublin. Image: George Carter / AlamyMinister Donnelly said the increase in cases being examined is to be welcomed.
"What's happening is what we expected Mr Nayagam's review to do is working," he said.
"We said to him, 'Go as wide and go as deep with this report as you want'.
"He started by reviewing cases that has been specifically identified in terms of one individual surgeon.
"He then did a random sampling of cases as well, and the parents of course were notified of that.
"Then thirdly other cases of concern were flagged by various surgeons, and they quite rightly reported them into Mr Nayagam," he added.
The independent review into the surgical incidents has reportedly been delayed as a result of the new cases being examined.
