Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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587. To ask the Minister for Health if and when an appointment will be arranged with an ear specialist in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50207/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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For 2013, a maximum waiting time target of 12 months has been set for a first time consultant-led outpatient appointment and this is reflected in the HSE Service Plan. The SDU and the NTPF are working closely with hospitals towards achievement of the maximum waiting time. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved. In relation to the specific hospital appointment query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.