John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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491. To ask the Minister for Health if he will make additional resources available to the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital to prevent waiting times for ophthalmology in view of the fact that some consultants lists are now up to 30 months for routine cataract procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16147/17]

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 to ensure that no patient will be waiting more than 18 months for a daycase procedure by 30 June 2017. In excess of 2,000 daycases will be managed through this process and outsourcing of treatment will commence shortly. The focus of this initiative will be those lists with large numbers of long waiting patients, including Ophthalmology.

In addition to this Daycase Initiative, the NTPF has been working closely with my Department and the HSE to agree an approach to the remaining 2017 allocation. The HSE is currently developing 2017 Waiting List Action Plans for Inpatient/Daycase procedures and Outpatient appointments to reduce the number of patients waiting more than 15 months by the end of October. The Inpatient/Day case Plan is being developed in conjunction with the NTPF's approach to the utilisation of its remaining €10m funding for patient treatment in 2017.

The HSE has now submitted Draft Waiting List Action Plans for Inpatient Daycases. My Department is currently reviewing and evaluating this plan and engagement is ongoing with the HSE and the NTPF towards its finalisation. The Outpatients Plan has been significantly progressed and I expect that it will be submitted shortly.