Colm Keaveney (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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144. To ask the Minister for Health the number of ophthalmic surgical procedures and cataracts surgical procedures that have been carried out in University Hospital Galway in each month of each year from January 2011 to September 2015; the average waiting time for such procedures; his views that it is appropriate that a person has to wait until June 2016 for such a procedure, even though the person will imminently lose sight and has been categorised as an emergency case; if an elderly patient becomes blind because a waiting list for such a procedure exceeds six months, if he will commit to his Department providing free 24-hour home help; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34996/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

In relation to the particular queries raised, as these are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.