Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I also welcome the teachers and the students from Sacred Heart, Tallaght. It is great to have a school from one's own area come in. I hope they enjoy their visit. I remember a long time ago coming as a child to visit Leinster House, the Dáil and the Seanad. I do not think any of us would ever have envisaged at that age that we would be here working in this capacity. I hope the teachers and students have a great day.

To respond to Senator Lombard, the HSE has advised that the ophthalmology service reconfiguration will be fully completed by the end of March 2024, that is, probably approximately six weeks away, when the transfer of outpatient services from CUH to the South Infirmary will be finalised. That is really welcome.

The HSE has also confirmed that the majority of emergency surgery is now being delivered in the South Infirmary. Important pathways between CUH and the South Infirmary have been agreed in cases of major trauma presentations that require immediate ophthalmic surgical input. The Senator is quite right that it is really important to have those pathways and that we know, if there is a trauma, exactly where that person will be looked after. He is also quite right to talk about capacity. We have an ageing population and more and more demand on services.

The new unit will support and work with the regional eye care service based in the primary community care centre in Ballincollig, which will further strengthen links between the community. I expect that when this is completely up and running, with all the transfers made, capacity will be the issue. I will keep a close eye on that - pardon the pun. People can have a great quality of life if they can have their cataracts sorted and live well at home.