Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2025
838. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of cataract surgeries carried out in Cork hospitals in 2024; the average waiting time for surgery; and the number of patients currently awaiting procedures in 2025. [51154/25]
View answerIt is acknowledged that many patients are still waiting too long for hospital appointments and treatments. I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families.
I published the Waiting List Action Plan (WLAP) for 2025 in February, representing this Government’s commitment to reducing waiting times for patients and improving access to hospital care.
In keeping with this commitment, significant funding of €420m was allocated to the Waiting List Action Plan for 2025, €190m for the HSE and €230m for the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF).
With the 2025 plan, we are continuing to build upon the progress delivered to date under the multi annual action plan approach, progressing towards the ultimate vision of a public healthcare service in which everyone has timely access to high-quality scheduled care, where and when they need it.
In relation to the particular queries raised by the Deputy about patients waiting for cataract surgery, the information at the link below, provided to my Department by the NTPF sets out the number of patients waiting for cataract surgery in public hospitals in Cork as at end August 2025, by time band and the average length of time that those patients have been waiting. In respect of the average waiting times, it should be noted that the NTPF collects data on patients on waiting lists at a point in time and the average time that these patients have been waiting is provided at the link.
In relation to the particular query raised regarding the number of cataract surgeries carried out in Cork Hospitals in 2024, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
