Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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285. To ask the Minister for Health to set down the number of persons waiting more than nine months to see a consultant ophthalmologist at a Dublin hospital (details supplied); the immediate steps being taken to reduce these waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18559/17]

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 has commenced. The focus of this initiative will be those lists with large numbers of long waiting patients including Ophthalmology.

In order to reduce the numbers of long-waiting patients, I asked the HSE to develop Waiting List Action Plans for 2017 in the areas of Inpatient Daycase, Scoliosis and Outpatient Services. My Department is currently engaging with the HSE and the NTPF to finalise these plans which I expect to approve shortly.

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