Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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630. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of persons on waiting lists for cardiac surgery, hip replacements or other procedures; if he has a strategy to shorten the waiting period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21350/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The NTPF publishes waiting lists, broken down by national figures, hospital and specialty, on a monthly basis. Figures in respect of specialty are available at : the figures for June 2016 were published last Friday, 8 July 2016.

Clinical need will determine that some patients require care more urgently than others and it is appropriate that patients are prioritised on this basis. However, in order to provide a fair and equitable service, it is also essential that waiting times are reduced by addressing the needs of those patients longest waiting through effective chronological scheduling. In recognising this, the Programme for a Partnership Government emphasises the need for sustained commitment to improving waiting times for patients, with a particular focus on those patients waiting longest. It commits to €15m funding to the NTPF to address waiting lists, with a particular focus on those waiting longest. This forms part of the Programme’s commitment to a continued investment of €50m per year to reduce waiting lists.

The Department is currently engaging with the NTPF and the HSE to finalise a dedicated 2016 waiting list initiative focused on endoscopy, and is engaging with the NTPF and the HSE to deliver on the Programme for a Partnership Government’s waiting list commitments.

In respect of specific procedures, such as cardiac surgery and hip replacements, 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.