Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

They were national figures. Obviously, included in this is meeting the longest waiters regardless of where they live in the country. The figures that relate to the Deputy's region will be focused on in this regard. The South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital is actively working with the NTPF in terms of ophthalmology to ensure a number of patients will have their procedures performed by private providers locally. I have data specifically on Cork, which I am happy to share with the Deputy, but I would probably run out of time if I tried to get through it.

The Deputy's point on hiring additional staff is correct. The Deputy's party wished to see the re-establishment of the NTPF. It is very important in re-establishing the NTPF that we send out a message it is here to stay for a number of years and that hospitals, be they private or public, can hire additional staff. I have already asked the NTPF to start planning for 2018. The Government has already committed €55 million, which is a significant increase in the budget of this year, and Deputy Kelleher is wagging his finger to make sure we get on with it. That commitment should send a very important message and I have conveyed this to the HSE to ensure we have in place and actively recruit additional staff so they can hit the ground running with regard to spending the money.

See this speech in context