Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, Deputy Micheál Martin and I met representatives of the national Council for the Blind in Ireland to discuss its pre-budget submission. We also had a broader chat with them about the number of people, not just at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital but throughout the hospital system, who are on ophthalmology waiting lists. They brought to my attention that up to 75% of sight loss is avoidable if treated early. We need to consider other proposals. It is not fair for us simply to state that the people who are on the waiting list now will have to wait until the end of 2018 or 2019. There is no assurance that will happen. The Minister needs to consider innovative proposals, perhaps using the NTPF, as mentioned by Deputy MacSharry. Something needs to be done.

I recognise that eye procedures can be done very quickly and often outside hospitals. It is not satisfactory for people who are waiting on a list to be told we will have a solution in a year or so; they need a solution now.

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