237 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons on rheumatology waiting lists in the Cork area for consultant appointments and for follow up treatment and the steps she will take to deal with delays [37186/10]

238 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons on neurology waiting lists in the Cork area for consultant appointments and for follow up treatment and the steps she will take to deal with delays. [37187/10]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 237 and 238 together.

The management of hospital services generally, including out-patient waiting lists, is a matter for the Health Service Executive and the individual hospitals concerned. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issues raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have these issues investigated and to reply directly to the Deputy.