Marie Sherlock
Ceist:963. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the total sum of money allocated to fund the wait list action plan 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9152/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 10 February 2026
Ceisteanna (963)
Freagraí scríofa
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 Time Action Plan (WTAP) for 2026 on January 30th, as part of this Government’s ongoing commitment to improving access to hospital care and reducing waiting times for patients.
The multi-annual Action Plan approach was implemented in September 2021 to sustainably reduce and reform hospital waiting lists and waiting times. Significant progress has been made under this approach in reducing the length of time patients are waiting.
With the 2026 plan, we will continue to build upon the progress delivered to date under the multi annual action plan approach, moving 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 WTAP 2026 sets out the National level priorities and actions, and serves as a critical support and enabler for each Region in developing their Regional Operational Plans for planned care. This includes the setting out of how the nationally agreed priorities and targets can be delivered at local and regional level, and how performance variation can be reduced intra- and inter-regionally.
Under this more devolved approach, each Health Region will receive a core current funding allocation, that incorporates the funding to achieve the WTAP targets, for the needs of its population, with the flexibility to invest where it will have the greatest impact. With effect from 2026, the management of total staff allocations and payroll budget within the various Health Regions has devolved to the REOs.
In terms of funding for the National Treatment Purchase Fund for 2026, €200 million has been allocated for the NTPF to achieve the targeted levels of activity set out in the WTAP.