Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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734. To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients on waiting lists at Letterkenny University Hospital for cataract surgery; the number waiting 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and more than 15 months, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35935/18]

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. Earlier this year, the Minister launched the Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan which outlines the combined impact of HSE and NTPF activity in 2018 to reduce the number of patients waiting for treatment.

The Action Plan places a particular focus on cataract surgery. All cataract patients who are clinically suitable for outsourcing, and who have been waiting more than 9 months, will be offered treatment by the end of 2018. In total the NTPF will fund 5,000 cataract procedures planned in both public and private hospitals in 2018.

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

Please see table below for requested data concerning the cataract waiting list at Letterkenny University Hospital.