Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 6

Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.

Alan Shatter

Question:

271 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the current position concerning the waiting list for essential appliances required by persons suffering from a disability; and the average waiting time before each appliance is supplied to an applicant. [23509/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen):

The latest figures which are available from the health boards are set out in the following table and I will communicate further with the Deputy in relation to the data which is not readily to hand. The position in general is that the health boards provide aids and appliances to people with physical and sensory disabilities on a priority basis and, in urgent cases, these items are made available without delay. However, specialised equipment can take several months to deliver.

In the past two years, additional funding of over £9 million was allocated specifically for the purpose of addressing needs in this area which this Government identified as requiring urgent attention. Aids and appliances are also provided by a number of voluntary organisations providing services for people with physical and sensory disabilities. The position regarding waiting lists for these items is therefore more complex than may first appear, as many people, who are in contact with voluntary organisations, are not always known to the health boards. This makes it difficult to get an accurate picture of the overall numbers and the average waiting times for the provision of equipment within the sector. However, this matter is being addressed by the boards in co-operation with their co-ordinating committees for physical and sensory disability services with a view to accurately identifying the numbers on waiting lists and priorities for the provision of aids and appliances within the sector as a whole.

Health Board	No. on WaitingList	Average Waiting Time.
Eastern	503	Three months.
Midland	191	Three months
Mid-Western	433	Children – 2 months Adults – 12 months
North-Eastern	341 (Approx.)	Seven weeks.
North-Western	145	Five weeks.
South-Eastern	Not available	Three months
Southern	25 (Approx.)	6 weeks.
Western	Not available	Not available