There is a commitment in the programme for Government to reduce hospital waiting lists and to examine where things are working well and learn from that and bring that forward in other areas. People in Cork with cataracts are waiting unreasonably long times, many over 18 months or two years. There are 6,900 outpatients waiting in Cork University Hospital, CUH, and there are a further 1,000 ahead of them in the South Infirmary inpatients unit. Their health is deteriorating as they wait. Those with reduced mobility are in danger of tripping and injuring their hips and hands. They are also isolated.

The National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, is helpful but it is not dealing with the root cause. The eye care plan considers using the Sligo model but it has not been implemented. How soon will people in Cork see the results and reduced waiting lists? When will the process speed up and when will there be a lasting solution, for example, through the eye care plan?

The Deputy is correct the NTPF is working to reduce waiting times. In April there were over 1,600 people waiting over 15 months for cataracts in this country. That is now down to 412 at the start of December. We need to keep on doing more. The Deputy is correct that the primary care eye review is absolutely the way to go. I recently met with Billy Power, the clinical lead ophthalmologist, in respect of this and expect to enact it as part of the 2018 waiting list plan. We will move on that as part of the service plan.