Vol. 448 No. 2
79 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Health the amount of money his Department spent on the waiting list initiative in 1994; the number of people that were taken off the waiting list for hospital admission in December 1993; the waiting list for hospital admission in December 1993; the waiting list for hospital admission in December 1994; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1800/95]
Limerick East): A total of £10 million was allocated to health agencies under the 1994 waiting list initiative with the primary aim of reducing in-patient waiting lists in excess of 12 months for adults and six months for children. The total in-patient waiting list at the end of 1993 was 25,373. My Department is currently finalising the analysis of the 1994 waiting list initiative. I would hope to be in a position to make an announcement regarding the outcome of the 1994 initiative in the near future and I will write to the Deputy with the information requested as soon as it is available.
80 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Health the longest period any patient has been waiting for hospital admission; the complaint from which the patient is suffering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1801/95]
Limerick East): My Department collects information on in-patient waiting lists on a quarterly basis. However, my Department is currently finalising the analysis of the 1994 waiting list initiative. Accordingly, I would hope to be in a position to make an announcement regarding the outcome of the 1994 initiative in the near future.
The main aim of the waiting list initiative over the past two years has been to eliminate waiting lists in excess of 12 months for adults and six months for children. The Government is committed to continuing the progress of the last two years towards achieving these targets.
