Emer Currie
Question:944. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health the number of patients currently on ophthalmology waiting lists are awaiting cataract surgery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52128/25]
View answerTuesday, 30 September 2025
Questions (944)
Written answers
It 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.
The NTPF has supplied my Department with the table below, which sets out the number of patients waiting for cataract surgery, by time band at the end of August 2025.
Number of Patients waiting for Cataract Surgery by Timeband at end Aug 2025
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Number of Patients waiting for Cataract Surgery by Timeband at end Aug 2025 |
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|
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|
|
|
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0-6 Months |
6-12 Months |
12-18 Months |
18+ Months |
Total |
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Number of Patients |
4,875 |
1,329 |
733 |
407 |
7,344 |