786. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of people currently on the waiting list for an orthopaedic consultation in County Galway; the steps her Department is taking to reduce this waiting list and shorten waiting times for patients in need of orthopaedic services; the measures planned to improve access to such consultations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53012/26]

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.