John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is an issue in the Cork-Kerry region which has the longest waiting list in the country for cataract operations, at up to 60 months from the time of referral to the carrying out of the operation. One can often wait up to 24 or 36 months before even being seen. People with such difficulties attend my clinic on a weekly basis. It is the Minister's colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, who has to deal with the social aspects that result from, for example, a person who was once able to drive to the local town now being unable to do so, with all of the related isolation issues. This matter needs to be tackled. Given all of the reports and offerings, for example, from the National Treatment Purchase Fund and the Association of Optometrists Ireland, there is a potential solution, but elements are falling between the stools. In a recent reply to a parliamentary question it was pointed out to me that the primary care eye service review group's report offered interesting and progressive solutions, but I am told that no extra funding has been provided to implement the report in my area.

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