Vol. 510 No. 2
114 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on whether a one year wait for an appointment to see an eye specialist in Temple Street hospital by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 is acceptable; and the steps, if any, he is taking to alleviate this problem. [22116/99]
The ophthalmology service in the children's hospital, Temple Street is currently led by two consultant ophthalmologists with appropriate support staff. The hospital has recently submitted an application to my Department to structure a third consultant ophthalmologist post.
Since coming into office, I am acutely aware of the importance of reducing waiting lists and waiting times, particularly for children. To this end my Department has allocated £150,000 in 1999 to Temple Street Hospital under the waiting list initiative for the provision of treatment to children on waiting lists. There are currently a total of 72 children on the day-care waiting list and 56 on the in-patient waiting list at Temple Street Hospital. Patients are chosen for treatment under the waiting list initiative based on clinical priority.
