Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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221. To ask the Minister for Health in view of the fact that amputees who are awaiting prosthesis are encountering up to a two year wait for health service approval, the proposals he has to end these long delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49989/13]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Current prosthetic, orthotic and limb absence rehabilitation services available include acute hospital services; the National Rehabilitation Hospital and multi-disciplinary community services. These services are provided directly by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and several non-statutory organisations. Assessments are carried out by a range of multi-disciplinary staff. Approval is prioritised to ensure that people with the most urgent assessed needs have their needs met first. As with all health services, approvals must remain within the annual budget for prosthetics and orthotics. I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy in response to his specific questions concerning waiting lists for prosthetic services.