Vol. 539 No. 3
74 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps being taken to deal with the long periods being spent on hospital waiting lists by children, having regard to recent figures showing that three out of every four children on such lists had been waiting more than six months for treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19212/01]
The overall figures for the March 2001 quarter, the latest date for which figures are available, show that the number of people on hospital waiting lists fell by almost 23% relative to the comparable figure for March 2000. This downward trend in numbers is reflected in annual reductions in the waiting list for target specialties.
Between March 2000 and March 2001 the number of children waiting for cardiac surgery for more than six months decreased by 78%, the number waiting for general surgery for more than six months decreased by 16%, the number waiting for ophthalmology services for more than six months decreased by 50% and the number waiting for ENT services for more than six months decreased by 29%.
The overall target for waiting list initiative funding is to ensure that no child waits longer than six months for treatment. 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 £34.5 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.
