Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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111. To ask the Minister for Health the latest waiting list figures for day cases and in-patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30442/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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For 2013, the maximum waiting time targets are less than eight months for adults, less than 20 weeks for children and less than 13 weeks for routine GI endoscopy. The latest available figures at 2 May 2013 show:

- A total of 39,064 (88% of total) adults waiting less than 8 months

- 5,392 adults waiting longer than eight months

- 3,725 adults waiting longer than nine months

- 717 adults waiting longer 12 months

- A total of 2,889 (80% of total) children waiting less than 20 weeks

- 716 children waiting longer than 20 weeks

- A total of 7,876 (90% of total) waiting less than 13 weeks

- 917 patients waiting longer than 13 weeks

Following the significant progress made by the end of 2012 in reducing waiting times, the number waiting longer than the maximum waiting time has increased. This reflects the impact on waiting times of the severe pressures on Emergency Departments in the early months of this year. In working towards the maximum waiting times for 2013, the SDU together with the NTPF and the HSE is undertaking a range of measures. These involve working closely with hospitals to analyse performance, to agree action plans and extra support as necessary and to ensure hospital capacity is being optimised. It is expected that the effect of these measures will begin to be seen in the mid-year figures.