Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This gets more disturbing as the Minister tries to explain it. Basically, the Minister is saying that the 405,000 figure is not a realistic figure in the first place and there may be double counting in it. However, there was double counting in the previous figure of 330,000. At the time we were told it would never climb any higher, that the issue could be addressed easily and that we were being alarmist in raising the matter as a challenge in the health services. The figure is now at 405,000 people. The Minister has decided to set targets that will alleviate the pressure on him and the HSE to deliver on in a timely fashion. That is what the Minister has done. He has gone from nine to 18 months. As sure as night follows day the Minister will be applauding himself and will say that the health service has nearly reached its target of 18 months, although the original target set was nine months.

The Minister should bear in mind that among outpatients, some 9,569 are waiting more than two years for an appointment. A total of 2,712 are waiting more than three years. That is where we are. I listened to all the glib talk of my party leader being a previous Minister for Health. Nevertheless, it is four years since the Government has been in office. Something needs to be done about this because it is creating serious pressure on individuals throughout the country.

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