David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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Why is the waiting time 60 months? That is five years. How could somebody have to wait for five years for an inspection? Even priority waiting times, while they were up to date in 2014 and 2015, went to nine months in 2016, 13 months in 2017, 16 months in 2018 and 18 months in 2019. That is a year and a half for priority cases. Those are astounding figures. We talked about policy earlier. We heard a great deal about policy and encouraging people to get checked up to make sure they get the treatment they need as quickly as possible, nudging and supporting them and raising awareness. If the capacity and services are not there, a routine appointment takes five years to get and what is called a priority takes 18 months, it makes a mockery of the policy. Why is it that people in Waterford and, by extension, the south east, since the numbers are similar, have to wait for 60 months for an inspection and 18 months for more serious cases? What is the problem?