Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I understand the €5 million aimed at daycase waiting lists was originally intended to reduce the number of people waiting by the end of June this year. At this stage, more than 87 people are waiting for inpatient procedures in Cork. Are we still on target for this? Is it realistic these people will get their procedures by then? Has the Minister looked at, for example, the Sligo model in which far more community services are used? This means instead of the consultant dealing with after-care this is done in the community and the consultant is free to deal with people who have cataracts and who are waiting for procedures. It is a major concern to so many older people in my community who, for example, are afraid of losing their driver licences because of their eyesight. This is not just about driving, it is about social isolation, a threat to the wider family and people being able to meet their grandchildren. Will the Minister prioritise this?

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