Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health the reason there is no full-time rheumatologist operating in Kerry General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14185/13]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health the average length of time a person in County Kerry has to wait to see a consultant rheumatologist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14186/13]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list to see a consultant rheumatologist in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14187/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 474 to 476, inclusive, together.

Improving access to outpatient services is a key priority for the Government. Building on work already undertaken by the HSE, the National Treatment Purchase Fund has now taken over the reporting of outpatient waiting time data. For the first time, data is available on www.ntpf.ie. The collation and analysis of outpatient waiting time data in a standardised format will reveal the distribution of long waiters across all hospitals. In the first instance, this will allow resources to be targeted towards those patients who are waiting longest and ensure that they are seen and assessed. For 2013, a maximum waiting time target has now been set of 12 months for a first time outpatient appointment.

In parallel with reducing the numbers of longest waiters, the SDU will also work with the HSE Clinical Programmes to reform the structure, organisation and delivery of outpatient services to ensure that the right patient is seen and assessed by the right health professional at the right time. In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.