Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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408. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children on the paediatric dermatology list; his plans to eliminate unacceptable delays in children receiving appropriate treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52996/19]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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409. To ask the Minister for Health the reason delays are occurring in the appointment of a consultant dermatologist at Crumlin Children's Hospital; when the position will be filled in view of the long delays for children being provided with necessary treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52997/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 408 and 409 together.

Reducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for Government. In this regard, the Government is committed to improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures.

Budget 2020 announced that the Government has further increased investment in tackling waiting lists, with funding to the NTPF increasing from €75 million in 2019 to €100 million in 2020.

My Department is working with the HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund to develop the Scheduled Care Access Plan 2020. The National Service Plan 2020 will set out HSE planned activity level for the year ahead, while the NTPF will work with the hospital system to provide additionality to improve access to inpatient/daycase treatment and with a particular focus on hospital outpatient services.

The data requested by the Deputy is outlined in the following documents. This information is also available on the NTPF website at:

In relation to the particular query raised, regarding the appointment of a Consultant Dermatologist at CHI Crumlin, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Waiting List Figures as at 28/11/2019, Published by the National Treatment Purchase Fund on 13th December 2019