Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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158. To ask the Minister for Health the outpatient waiting times at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore for each the years 2011 to date in 2016, by year and by speciality and in the wait time bands of up to three months, up to six months, up to 12 months, up to 15 months, up to 18 months, up to two years, and more than two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40237/16]

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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166. To ask the Minister for Health the number of outpatient hospital cancellations at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore for each the years, 2013 to date in 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40245/16]

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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167. To ask the Minister for Health the number of inpatient hospital cancellations at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore for each the years, 2013 to date in 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40246/16]

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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168. To ask the Minister for Health the number of inpatient and outpatient did not attends at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore for each the years, 2013 to date in 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40247/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 158, and 166 to 168, inclusive, together.

This Government is committed to improving waiting times for patients. While recognising that demand for acute hospital services has increased, the important issue for patients is how long they wait.

Under the HSE Service Plan 2016 targets, 85% of people should wait less than 52 weeks for their first outpatient appointment. The latest NTPF Outpatient Waiting List figures indicate that 77% of people in the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore are waiting less than 52 weeks for their first outpatient appointment and 95% of people are waiting less than 18 months for access to outpatient services.

In August, I asked the HSE to develop a Waiting List Action Plan for 2016 to reduce by year end the number of patients waiting over 18 months for an inpatient or day case procedure. Since then, over 8,000 patients have come off the waiting list nationally.

Regarding outpatient waiting lists in particular, the HSE recently launched the Strategy for the design of Integrated Outpatient Services 2016-2020. It seeks to improve waiting times for outpatient services by enhancing patient referral pathways and utilising technology to enable better planning.

Budget 2017 provides for the treatment of our longest-waiting patients. €20m is being allocated to the NTPF in 2017, rising to €55m in 2018. Planning of these initiatives is at an advanced stage. I will shortly be asking the HSE to develop a Waiting List Action Plan for 2017, working collaboratively with the NTPF, to address inpatient, day case and also outpatient waiting times, including in the Mater Hospital.

In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.