David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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333. To ask the Minister for Health the number of companies used by CHI to provide consultant weekend cover and-or waiting list initiatives since 2019; to list the names of the companies and the funds provided to the companies, broken down by year and by hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31009/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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334. To ask the Minister for Health the number of companies used by public hospitals to provide consultant weekend cover and-or waiting list initiatives since 2015; to list the names of the companies and the funds provided to the companies, broken down by year and by hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31010/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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It is acknowledged that many patients are still waiting too long for hospital appointments and treatments. I am conscious of the burden this places on patients and their families.

A multi-annual approach through a series of Waiting List Action Plans has been adopted to address this issue. Commencing in late 2021, these plans encompass short-term actions to increase capacity and activity in the short and immediate term, and longer-term reform measures to sustainably reduce both hospital waiting lists and waiting times.

This approach has achieved significant progress in overall waiting list reduction and in addressing long waiting times, against a backdrop of significantly increased demand for scheduled care services.

The Waiting List Action Plan approach includes targeting the delivery of additional capacity in the public and private systems, through HSE insourcing and outsourcing, as well as through commissioning in public and private hospitals by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF).

I published the WLAP for 2025 on February 12th, representing continuation of this Government’s commitment and continued investment to reducing waiting times for patients and improving access to hospital care.

With the 2025 plan, we are continuing to build upon the progress delivered to date under the multi annual action plan approach.

In relation to the particular queries raised, as these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.