Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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124. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to ensure a person (details supplied) has their operation for tonsillectomy; the number of persons on waiting lists for tonsillectomy in each county; the average wait in each county; and the longest wait in each county. [17050/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Reducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for Government. Budget 2019 announced that the Government has further increased investment in tackling waiting lists, with funding to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) increasing from €55 million in 2018 to €75 million in 2019.

The joint Department of Health/HSE/NTPF Scheduled Care Access Plan 2019 was published recently and sets out measures to improve care for patients waiting for scheduled care in 2019 by reducing wait times for inpatient/day case treatment and outpatient appointments. The plan will place a strong focus on a number of high-volume procedures, including tonsils. When combined with HSE activity, it is projected that the NTPF will be in a position to offer treatment to all clinically suitable patients waiting more than 6 months for one of these procedures.

The data requested by the Deputy is contained in the documents attached.

In relation to the operation for the person concerned, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Average wait by County

Tonsillectomy Waiting List by County