Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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124. To ask the Minister for Health the average waiting times for cataract surgery in County Limerick; the challenges adding to the waiting time; the solutions being put forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25814/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Reducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for the Government.

The recently launched Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan outlines the combined impact of HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) activity in 2018. The Action Plan places a particular focus on cataract surgery and includes a commitment that the NTPF will provide 5,000 cataract procedures to patients. In addition, the NTPF commits to offer treatment to all clinically suitable patients waiting more than 9 months for a cataract procedure. Under the IPDC Action Plan 2018 sustainable solutions for Cataract treatment in the public hospitals will also be delivered in 2018 with the planned opening of a Cataract theatre in Nenagh Hospital in July.

In relation to the waiting times for cataract surgery in County Limerick, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.