Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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574. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list in a hospital (details supplied) for orthognathic joint maxillofacial surgery; the number waiting longer than the time specified; the plans being put in place to address this waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35459/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Improving waiting times for hospital procedures is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and in 2018 €50 million was allocated to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to provide treatment for patients. Under the Inpatient and Day Case Action Plan, which was launched earlier this year, the HSE will deliver 1.14 million hospital procedures.

The NTPF will deliver additionality to the health system with the provision of over 20,000 Inpatient Day Case treatments through both outsourcing and HSE insourcing.

In addition, my Department is continuing to work with the HSE and the NTPF to identify sustainable initiatives to improve waiting times.

The information sought by the deputy regarding the number of patients on the orthognathic joint maxillofacial waiting list in St James Hospital is contained in the table below.