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

We are seeing increased waiting lists for procedures and for outpatient appointments across the country, not just in Waterford. That is not solely or exclusively down to reduced staff or funding because the reverse is the case. There has been a big increase in the number of staff in the health service and a massive increase in spending in recent years but because of the need to shut down large parts of the health service because of Covid-19, we are seeing increased waiting lists in all areas as a result of the shutdown that occurred in the first and third waves of the virus.

I do not have an update for the Deputy on the catheterisation laboratory. I have an update from a few weeks ago that might now be out of date so I would prefer not to share it. I will make sure the Deputy gets an update.

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