Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 432: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the measures she is taking to reduce hospital outpatient waiting lists to see hospital consultants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25756/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The management of outpatient waiting lists is, in the first instance, a matter for the National Hospitals Office and the individual hospitals concerned. However, earlier this year I asked the national treatment purchase fund, NTPF, to examine the position with a view to further assessing the needs of patients waiting longest on outpatient waiting lists and the most appropriate clinical pathways and protocols required for their care.

As a result, the NTPF set up a number of pilot projects around the country. The intention is that the longest waiters in a number of specialties will receive consultations at outpatient level in private hospitals. It is envisaged that between 4,000 to 5,000 patients will have outpatient appointments arranged for them. Monitoring and evaluation arrangements will be put in place by the NTPF in order to assess the outcome of the outpatient pilot projects. I understand that the pilot projects are under way and I expect to receive a report from the NTPF in due course.