Frank O'Rourke (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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70. To ask the Minister for Health if there is a targeted investment programme in place for spinal surgery services at Tallaght Hospital to deal with the waiting lists; if provision will be made for an additional surgical operating theatre in view of the fact that at present Tallaght Hospital is renting theatre space from a private hospital to deal with deteriorating waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6104/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Reducing waiting times for patients is one of the Government's key priorities.

Throughout 2017, the HSE and NTPF worked together to drive down long wait times for Inpatient and Daycase procedures. Over 29,000 patients came off the Inpatient/Daycase waiting list by the end of October .

In order to continue the strong focus on reducing waiting times for scheduled care, Budget 2018 included an allocation of additional funding to fund further waiting list initiatives in 2017. This included an initiative to treat complex spinal patients on the Tallaght Hospital waiting list. Provision of treatment under this initiative is ongoing.

October's Budget announced a total 2018 allocation of €55m for the NTPF for 2018. This significant increase in funding more than doubles the 2017 total allocation of €20m. The NTPF and HSE are in the process of finalising Waiting List Action Plans and Initiatives for 2018. This will include ambitious targets for both the HSE and NTPF to reduce the overall number of patients waiting for treatment.

I expect to publish the 2018 Inpatient Day Case Waiting List Action Plan at the end of February.

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

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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71. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he will take to reduce waiting lists for ophthalmology services at the Mercy University Nospital Cork and the South Infirmary-Victoria Hospital Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6295/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge that waiting times for Ophthalmology patients are often unacceptably long and I am conscious of the impact of this on people's lives.

Data from the National Treatment Purchase Fund indicates that as of 29 December 2017 there were 23 people waiting for an outpatient Ophthalmology appointment in Mercy University Hospital and 13 people waiting for an Inpatient/Daycase procedure. There was also 1,009 people waiting on an Ophthalmology Inpatient/Daycase procedure in South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital. Of the patients at South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, approximately 69% (703 people) were waiting less than 6 months for Inpatient/Daycase services and 95% (967 people) were waiting less than 12 months.

Reducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one this Government's key priorities. October's Budget announced a total 2018 allocation of €55m for the NTPF for 2018. This significant increase in funding more than doubles the 2017 total allocation of €20m. The NTPF and HSE are in the process of finalising Waiting List Action Plans and Initiatives for 2018. This will include ambitious targets for both the HSE and NTPF to reduce the overall number of patients waiting for treatment, including those patients awaiting Ophthalmology procedures.

I hope to publish the 2018 Inpatient Day Case Waiting List Action Plan at the end of February.