Page 53 of the programme for Government states efforts to increase access to safe, timely care as close as possible to patients' homes will be a priority. Unfortunately, this is not the reality for people waiting for cataract operations that greatly improve the quality of life for older people. I refer to the case of an 87-year-old woman who has been classed as having an urgent need for a cataract operation. She was informed the waiting time for an urgent procedure was 11 months. The National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, is not an option because she has not been waiting for the prescribed time. The solution offered by the Health Service Executive is to avail of the option of treatment under the cross-border directive and it sent her the relevant contact details. Is this its solution to the problem of waiting lists? If so, it is cold comfort to an 87 year old woman who needs a simple operation and cannot leave her home because she cannot see.

The NTPF is an option. In recent months we have achieved some success in reducing waiting lists for procedures. I believe the numbers have fallen in four of the past five months.

They are all heading to the North.

The NTPF may well be a solution for the patient in question. The cross-Border directive is also an option and the Government will fund the full cost of the treatment if the person in question is willing and able to travel. While it is not ideal, it is an option.