3590. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the current average wait time per speciality in a hospital (details supplied); the longest waiter per speciality; the number of patients waiting to be seen per speciality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56978/26]

It is acknowledged that many patients are still waiting too long for hospital appointments and treatments. I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families.

The multi-annual Action Plan approach initiated in September 2021 is focused on improving waiting times for patients, and the Waiting Time Action Plan (WTAP) 2026, embodies the Government’s commitment to reducing waiting times for patients, thereby improving access to hospital care. Significant progress has been made under this approach in reducing the length of time patients are waiting.

With the 2026 plan, we will continue to build upon the progress delivered to date under the multi annual action plan approach, moving towards the ultimate vision of a public healthcare service in which everyone has timely access to high-quality scheduled care, where and when they need it.

National waiting list information by hospital, specialty, and time band is published monthly by the NTPF on its website: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.html.

The information is now being made available through an interactive visual tool which provides users with a much-improved way of accessing and analysing waiting list information.

The health system does not collect the data necessary to calculate average wait times. In particular, the time to treatment of patients who have already received their care is not collected. The NTPF collects data on patients currently on the waiting list and the average time that these patients have been waiting is provided below.

IPDC Patients Wait List by Specialty at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh as at end of June 2026