Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Chairman has asked a good question. The central waiting list validation, according to my note, was established in June 2018. Let us remember that these are estimates because obviously it is to be a legitimate exercise where one has to decide one does not need an appointment. The general estimate is that about 30,000 outpatient appointments will be validated during the course of the year so the focus this year is largely on outpatients. There is a sense that when one has such a large figure, inaccurate data and lack of systems, there can be duplication or people can be treated in other hospitals and the like. I acknowledge we had a disparate way of carrying out validation and some GPs expressed the view that there was an unfairness or lack of uniformity about it, we did centralise things in the NTPF. My feedback is that the scheme is working quite well. Largely speaking, GPs think it is a fairer system and GP organisations and the like have been briefed on it. I am happy to supply the Chairman a detailed note on the matter. I understand that they reckon about 30,000 from the outpatient list is the number that will be validated. Let us remember that is 30,000 outpatients out of 516,000 outpatients.