Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)

The Minister recognises fully the frustration of people in the local area with long waiting times for certain services and realises that much more needs to be done to fill local vacancies, address waiting lists and ensure consistent, equitable and timely access to primary care services. Since 2021, the primary care psychology waiting list initiative, which targets removals from the waiting list of those under the age of 18 waiting longer than 52 weeks to access services, has been operational. To date, the initiative has successfully removed 12,000 clients from primary care psychology waiting lists nationally. Funding for the continuation of this initiative will be allocated as part of the Estimates 2026 process. Outside this, a joint Department-HSE programmatic approach to primary care waiting lists is also under way to develop short-term and long-term solutions to long waiting lists for primary care services. The Minister wishes to again assure the Deputy that this Government remains committed to the further development of primary care and community healthcare services as part of the programme for Government. HSE South West is also working to reducing the waiting lists for primary care psychology as evidenced by the initiatives to which I previously referred, including advanced recruitment efforts, building capacity for the future and the introduction of bespoke waiting list initiatives targeted at children and young people who need to avail of this very important service. I will bring the matter raised by the Deputy in terms of the upcoming budget to the attention of the Minister and the Department.

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