Mr. Tony O'Brien:

Yes, both of which will be spent this year. One of the challenges faced by the HSE this time last year was the interplay between the new posts and the challenge of reducing its overall head count. This led to a delay in seeking to achieve the head count reduction prior to implementation of the service plan and Government priorities for the new development posts. We have turned that around this year. We are proceeding with new development posts in advance of achieving the head count reduction which is, it must be said, a risk but a necessary one if we are to achieve the objectives of the service plan - the risk being that we will put in these new posts and miss the overall reduction target. It is a calculated decision.

On orthopaedic appointments, about which Deputy Healy made a valid point, there is a particular problem in this area. The Deputy referred to Waterford Regional Hospital where the waiting time for an orthopaedic appointment on an outpatient basis is unacceptably high. The hospital is benefiting from the clinical programme relating to orthopaedics, including musculoskeletal physiotherapists, which is having an impact. To reduce the overall quantum, a number of patients have been taken off the back of the waiting list at Waterford Regional Hospital and taken to other hospitals. The reality is that the waiting list for orthopaedic appointments at Waterford Regional Hospital, which had stretched out to four years in some instances, had reached the point where it had become unmanageable. A number of measures have been taken to address this, although the situation is not yet fully under control or where it needs to be. The Deputy's point that such lengthy waiting periods is unacceptable is well made.