Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Health the actions taken to reduce the waiting times for patients awaiting a routine endoscopy procedure; the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7544/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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In July 2011, I announced the establishment of the Special Delivery Unit as a key part of my plans to radically reform the health system in Ireland. The Unit's purpose is to improve access to healthcare, both scheduled and unscheduled. Since it was established last year, it has been working to unblock public access to acute services by improving patient journeys through the system and by streamlining public hospital waiting lists. I am pleased to be able to say that very significant progress has been made by the SDU in relation to scheduled care waiting times.

Waiting times for endoscopy procedures have been a particular focus for the Special Delivery Unit's Scheduled Care Team, with a target set for 2012 in the HSE Service Plan was that no-one should wait more than 13 weeks for a routine endoscopy procedure. By year-end, the numbers waiting longer than 13 weeks for routine endoscopy had fallen by 99%, from 4,590 in December 2011 to 36 patients at the end of December 2012. This is a significant achievement which shows what can be done to tackle access. The progress made in 2012 does not mean all problems are solved, and 2013 will remain very challenging. However, the improvement reflects my commitment, and that of this Government, to ensuring patients can access the acute hospital services they need, when they need them.