Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The problem is there is nothing wrong with what the Minister has said. All of those things must happen but we have been listening to similar explanations for years. The reality is things are getting worse and faster. We have gone from 13,000 to 106,000 people waiting more than a year and half for an appointment. That has happened in just three years. The Minister is correct as the one measure that seems to be working relates to the inpatient waiting list and surgery. However, that is working because the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, has been turned back on. It worked very well in 2009, 2010 and 2011 and it brought waiting times down to months. It was turned off and the numbers increased again. I acknowledge the Minister's indication that having it turned back on again was a Fianna Fáil priority. It is working and we believe it needs to be expanded. This should not be a long-term measure, as we need a public health system that can deal with this, but it is required for the short term.

I can bring this to an individual case. Last night I spoke to a mum in Wicklow whose child has been waiting three and half years for therapy. She was very annoyed. On the same day received a letter from the HSE stating there had been further delays and the child would not be seen, she received a leaflet from the Minister indicating Rugby World Cup dates. She asked how taxpayers' money can be spent on a leaflet indicating world cup dates but not for her son to have therapy over three and half years. What does he say to her?