Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 62 of 1 June 2006 her definition of undue delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39396/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The issue of 'undue delay' in respect of meeting the need for medical inpatient treatment was raised before the European Court of Justice in the Watts Case (a UK resident who sought reimbursement for hospital treatment received abroad). The Court in this case left the issue of 'undue delay' to be determined by the UK Court.

My main objective and that of the Government continues to be the provision of hospital services in the shortest possible timeframe. The public hospital system continues to improve its record in respect of both waiting times and numbers waiting for treatment. In addition, the National Treatment Purchase Fund continues to cater for those patients waiting in excess of three months. The Fund has been provided with €10 million in additional funding in 2007 to facilitate extra referrals in this context.