James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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211. To ask the Minister for Health the average waiting times for endocrinology appointments; and the proposals his Department is undertaking to improve the lists going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6226/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Reducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities. Consequently, Budget 2017 allocated €20 million to the NTPF, rising to €55 million in 2018.

In December 2016, I granted approval to the NTPF to dedicate €5m to a daycase waiting list initiative with the aim of ensuring that no patient will be waiting more than 18 months for a daycase procedure by 30 June 2017. In excess of 2000 daycases will be managed through this process and outsourcing of treatment will commence shortly.

The HSE has committed to submit to me by 17 February Waiting List Action Plans for 2017 to ensure that no patient is waiting more than 15 months for an inpatient, daycase procedure or outpatient appointment by the end of October 2017. The Plans are being developed in conjunction with, and supported by, the NTPF's proposal for utilisation of the remaining €10m of 2017 funding for patient treatment, which I expect to receive by 24 February.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.