Vol. 543 No. 1
91 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children the most recent waiting lists for hospital procedures by speciality in each hospital; the average waiting time for each specialist; the steps being taken to reduce waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25612/01]
The in-patient waiting list for hospital procedures by speciality, as at the 30 June 2001, the latest date for which figures are available, are being communicated separately to the Deputy. The average waiting time for each specialist is not routinely collated by my Department. Dedicated funding of £74.57 million, 94.68 million, was made available to health agencies between 1997 and 2000 to enable hospitals to carry out waiting list procedures and £34.5 million, 43.8 million, has been allocated under the waiting list initiative in 2001.
The overall number of patients on waiting lists as at the 30 June 2001, as reported by health agencies was 26,659 a drop of 16% on the comparative figure for 2000. The number of adults waiting for more than 12 months for treatment and the number of children waiting for more than six months for treatment in target specialties have both fallen by 20% in the same period.
