Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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752. To ask the Minister for Health the number of virtual otolaryngology appointments that have been made; and the number that have not been completed since the start of public health restrictions by hospital area. [36468/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of this year. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work.

One of the ways in which the HSE sought to maintain activity  in the context of Covid-19 was to secure access to outpatient appointments through the use of virtual clinics. In March alone there were 34,500 virtual appointments representing 16% of all ODP appointments. By May this had risen to 87,500 appointments representing 45% of all OPD activity. The latest figures available show 66,146 virtual OPD appointments in September, almost double that held in March.

In relation to the particular query raised, concerning the number of virtual otolaryngology appointments that have been made; and the number that have not been completed since the start of public health restrictions by hospital area, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.