Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 May 2026
310. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for chronic pain management through or funded by the HSE, by region and by waiting time; the number waiting at the start of 2021; and the number waiting at the latest available data point, in tabular form. [38420/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra313. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for dermatology consultations and treatments through or funded by the HSE, by region and by waiting time; the number waiting at the start of 2021; and the number waiting at the latest available data point, in tabular form. [38423/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra316. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for hernia surgery through or funded by the HSE, by region and by waiting time; the number waiting at the start of 2021; and the number waiting at the latest available data point, in tabular form. [38426/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra317. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for gallbladder surgery through or funded by the HSE, by region and by waiting time; the number waiting at the start of 2021 and the number waiting at the latest available data point, in tabular form. [38427/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra318. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for varicose veins surgery through or funded by the HSE, by region and by waiting time; the number waiting at the start of 2021 and the number waiting at the latest available data point, in tabular form. [38428/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra319. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for kidney stone removal through or funded by the HSE, by region and by waiting time; the number waiting at the start of 2021 and the number waiting at the latest available data point, in tabular form. [38429/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra321. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for cataract surgeries through or funded by the HSE, by region and by waiting time; the number waiting at the start of 2021 and the number waiting at the latest available data point, in tabular form. [38431/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra322. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for hip or surgeries through or funded by the HSE, by region and by waiting time; the number waiting at the start of 2021 and the number waiting at the latest available data point, in tabular form. [38432/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 310, 313, 316 to 319, inclusive, 321 and 322 together.
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.
National waiting list information by hospital, specialty, and time band is published monthly by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) on its website: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm
The information is now being made available through an interactive visual tool which provides users with a much-improved way of accessing and analysing waiting list information. The published information includes the number of patients on the Outpatient (OPD) and Inpatient and Day Case (IPDC) waiting list for dermatology.
The specific information requested by the Deputy that is not readily available on the NTPF website has been provided to my Department by the NTPF, and is set out in the tables at the link below, by hospital and Time Band.
