David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to ask the Minister for Health about the commitment in the programme for Government to reduce the average waiting times for appointments, procedures and diagnostic tests across the health service. Last week, I tabled a parliamentary question regarding waiting times for child supports in the south east. The reply seemed to state that the average wait time in Waterford for a child occupational therapist is seven years. For Carlow-Kilkenny and south Tipperary, it appears to be ten years. The figures I received indicate that the average wait time for a child speech and language therapist in 2018 was 204 months in Carlow-Kilkenny and 223 months in south Tipperary. The average wait time for a child occupational therapist was 122 months in Carlow-Kilkenny, 122 months in south Tipperary and 84 months in Waterford. There is a dire shortage of child psychologists across the State. This is having an impact. In my constituency office yesterday, we saw five families of children with complex needs who were in need of supports. Can the Minister clarify the replies that I received to my parliamentary questions? I find them astounding and want to know if the figures are accurate.

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