Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----but the Government certainly does not wish to see anyone, child or adult, waiting long periods for treatment. I know the figures that came out just last week show that the number of patients waiting for an inpatient or day case procedure such as procedures on hips, knees and cataracts - all those procedures that people need - was down another 1,264 on the previous month and from a peak of 80,000. We are, therefore, very much going in the right direction when it comes to procedures and surgery. I absolutely accept that we are still going in the wrong direction when it comes to outpatient appointments. Regarding children on outpatient waiting lists, I am told 64% wait less than a year but that more than 36% can wait more than 12 months. The HSE has confirmed that there had been challenges in reducing outpatient waiting times for both children and adults due to difficulties recruiting consultants arising from retirements and vacancies-----

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