John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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43. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the surge over the past two years in the number of children waiting 18 months plus for an outpatient appointment in the three children’s hospitals in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6401/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The most recent NTPF figures published for December 2017 show that there was a total of 41,678 people on the Outpatient waiting list for hospitals in the Children's Hospital Group. 65% of these children (26,958) are waiting up to 12 months and 35% (14,720) are waiting over 12 months for a first Outpatient appointment.

The HSE has confirmed there have been challenges in addressing the OPD waiting times due to consultant resourcing issues, arising from retirements, vacancies and demand in single-handed consultant services, such as allergy and immunology. In addition, the NTPF focus over the last two years has been on addressing Inpatient and Daycase waiting times. However, the HSE and NTPF are working together to develop Waiting List Action Plans for 2018. October's Budget announced a total 2018 allocation of €55m for the NTPF for 2018. This significant increase in funding more than doubles their 2017 total allocation of €20m.

It is acknowledged that the Outpatient Waiting Lists generally remains a challenge that needs to be addressed. It is worth noting that in 2016 the children's hospitals recorded that approximately 13% of patients did not attend their Outpatient appointment. This is something that must be tackled. A number of steps, including the commencement of a national waiting list validation project by the HSE, are being taken to ensure the lists are accurate and these efforts are to intensify in the coming months.