The programme for Government contains a commitment to update the national eye care plan. The Taoiseach made some reference to it earlier this morning. Last night's "Prime Time Investigates - Public vs. Private: The Battle for Care", highlighted very serious issues and discrepancies regarding the time worked in public hospitals by a small number of consultants. I listened to 90 year old John Paul Harrington describe how he would have to wait four years for a cataract operation. The crux of the issue is the failure of the HSE to oversee adherence to consultants' private practice limits.

As a result, some consultants are breaking their limits and spending a disproportionate amount of their publicly contracted time solely dealing with private lists. The Taoiseach is a former Minister for Health. Does he accept it is unacceptable for a consultant who is publicly contracted to do 39 hours' public work to get away with doing as little as 13 hours? Will the Taoiseach ensure that the Minister for Health and the HSE urgently address this issue?

I have already answered that question in my response to Deputy Michael Healy-Rae. The cataract waiting list has fallen from 10,300 to 867 and those waiting more than a year and a half have fallen from 1,694 to 421, which is a 75% fall in people waiting for ridiculously long periods of time. Our implementation model around eye care is starting to make a difference. Part of this is more primary care ophthalmology, which we think will also make a big difference.

In response to Deputy Barry's earlier question, the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, confirms that the new definition of substantial refurbishment will be out tomorrow and can be put on a statutory basis if needs be. He has also announced 200 additional beds, almost all single beds in rooms rather than cots, for rough sleepers in Dublin, which will be available over the winter period. The intention is that there be a surplus of beds available as a result.