Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We are agreed on the point that these waiting lists are unacceptable and they need a particular focus.

That is why in 2014 the HSE began a waiting lists initiative using innovative approaches, including public voluntary and private providers, in order to achieve targeted reductions in waiting lists. The initiatives will continue to be funded this year. Given that we have provided additional resources of €20 million, plus €4 million for those aged up to 18 years, it is unacceptable that waiting lists continue to be as they are. I agree with the Deputy that the focus needs to remain on waiting lists for speech therapy and physiotherapy, in particular.

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