Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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95. To ask the Minister for Health the current statistics in relation to accident and emergency waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22124/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Immediately following my appointment, I set out to address the issues which have been causing unacceptable delays in patients being treated in our hospitals. I established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), as set out in the Programme for Government. The SDU is working to unblock access to acute services by improving the flow of patients through the system. Since its establishment there have been significant improvements in the waiting times for unscheduled care against a background of reduced funding for health, reconfiguration of services and a very challenging economic climate

By the end of 2012, the INMO reported 20,000 fewer people waiting on trolleys in Irish hospitals when compared to 2011 – an improvement of almost 24%. Progress has continued into 2013, as of 3 May 2013, the INMO reported 2,081 fewer patients on trolleys compared to the same period in 2012 – an improvement of 7.6%

During the early months of 2013, the acute hospitals experienced unprecedented admission rates from their Emergency Departments. The Special Delivery Unit remains focussed on this issue and all systems, both hospital and community based, have been activated to prioritise care for those most in need.