James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have shown that we can work differently. If an analysis shows up the root cause of a problem we can deal with it. I think this has been achieved in the accident and emergency departments. We are not finished yet by any means and similarly with inpatient treatments. The Deputy is correct that we face a serious challenge with this year's budget although our activity levels are ahead of budget forecasts. I wish to reassure the House that activity will need to slow down in the areas where they have exceeded their levels. However, that does not mean that anyone who is acutely ill or who has cancer or needs urgent treatment, will not get it. We have been making progress on the waiting lists. I pointed this out to the House last week and to the Seanad yesterday that we have reduced the inpatient waiting list by 85% of people waiting one year or longer. We have reduced the waiting list of people waiting six months or longer by 63% and we have reduced the waiting list of those waiting for inpatient procedures for three months or longer by 18%. We are making progress and I ask people to bear with us.

Deputy Kelleher referred to the special delivery unit which has had a very beneficial effect. It is in the main due to the clinical programmes but mostly it is down to the excellence of the men and women working in our health service who have delivered this change and I thank them for it.

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