Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is a very valid point. For older people especially who need their cataracts done, it makes such a huge improvement on their ordinary day-to-day living when their cataract is sorted and their sight improves immensely. We are running waiting list initiatives at the moment for cataract procedures. I take on board the point the Deputy is making, however. Many people who avail of the treatment abroad scheme have to travel outside the jurisdiction which, for some people, is not always possible. I discussed this with the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, previously. There is a hi-tech lab in Ballincollig. We also have one now in University Hospital Waterford. We are taking 60 people per week off the waiting list. We are seeing huge improvements. We will certainly look into it. If the Deputy wishes, we can come back with a note to the committee in that regard. There are certainly waiting list initiatives in place, however, and it does improve the quality of people's lives dramatically when they have the cataracts sorted. I do not disagree with anything the Deputy said.