Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Feb 2001

Vol. 531 No. 4

Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

154 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if waiting lists of patients requiring hip replacement surgery have increased or decreased as reflected in procedures for the 12 month period ending 31 December in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6229/01]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

155 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if waiting lists of patients requiring surgery for the removal of cataracts have increased or decreased as reflected in procedures for the 12 month period ending 31 December in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6230/01]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

176 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if waiting lists of patients requiring heart bypass surgery have increased or decreased as reflected in procedures for the 12 month period ending 31 December in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6252/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 154, 155 and 176 together.

Hospital in-patient waiting list figures for the quarter ended 31 December 2000 are being collated by my Department at present. The numbers waiting for hip replacement operations at 31 December 1998 and 31 December 1999 were 1,590 and 1,383 respectively which represents a decrease of 13%. The numbers waiting for cataract surgery at 31 December 1998 and 31 December 1999 were 3,110 and 3,336 respectively which represents an increase of 7%. The numbers waiting for heart bypass surgery at 31 December 1998 and 31 December 1999 were 744 and 790 respectively which represents an increase of 6%.

It is my intention to pursue continual reductions in waiting lists and waiting times for hospital treatment in 2001. Dedicated funding for waiting list procedures of £34 million was allocated in 2000 to health agencies to enable hospitals to carry out waiting list procedures and I am pleased to inform the Deputy that £34.5 million has been indicated to health agencies under the waiting list initiative for 2001.