Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach and I appreciate his honesty in saying it is not right. It certainly is not right for people to be travelling in bus loads out of the Republic, and out of places such as west Cork and up to Belfast. It is truly scandalous treatment of our elderly. I ask the Taoiseach to address this serious issue and grave situation regarding 8,000 Irish citizens accessing a cataract procedure. This is such a serious and urgent issue I ask the Taoiseach kindly to address the areas of concern for so many vulnerable people in the country. Do they have to continue to undertake the stressful long journey to Belfast to have this procedure carried out? Can we not find provision in our HSE service delivery plans to factor in addressing the lengthy waiting list for this procedure? This procedure does not block beds and is a simple day procedure that could be carried out in some of the theatres that are available in Ireland where capacity for theatre time exists. This 15 to 20-minute procedure should be made simple to access for those people who require a basic cataract procedure urgently to save them from going blind and being further isolated from society.

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