Health waiting lists
Deputy Kenny challenges the Taoiseach over claims that waiting lists have stabilised, pointing to very high public waiting numbers. The Taoiseach says outpatient lists have increased, inpatient lists have stabilised, and the Government is funding waiting-list action plans and diagnostic reforms.
Over the weekend at the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis, the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, claimed that health service waiting lists have been stabilised. The reality is very different. The reality is that more than 900,000 people at present are on some form of public health or hospital waiting list, which is completely unacceptable. Can the Taoiseach justify what the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, said given the reality of people waiting for simple medical procedures?
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I commend the widespread interest in the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis at the weekend from all sides of the House. It is very heartening indeed.
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We will have another one tomorrow so.
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The outpatient waiting list has increased and the inpatient list has stabilised. There are different performances in different categories. Many good innovations have worked such as access to diagnostics. GP-led diagnostic services have been quite innovative and impactful in providing greater access, greater throughput and greater activity on waiting lists more generally. That will continue. The waiting list action plan was published last February. Some €350 million was allocated with additional staff. For 2023, €443 million has now been allocated. It is ahead of target on scopes, a little bit behind target on inpatient day cases and significantly behind target on outpatient cases. That is what the Minister is telling me.