3823. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting cataract surgery by hospital, age group and waiting-time band, in tabular form. [57862/26]

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 National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) on its website: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm

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 specific information requested by the Deputy which is not readily available on the NTPF website, is set out in the attached spreadsheet. This information was provided to my Department by the NTPF.

Cataract Surgery Waiting List by Hospital, Adult/Child and Time-band - End June 2026

The NTPF have applied Statistical Disclosure Control (SDC) techniques to the data above to preserve confidentiality and mitigate against identification or self-identification of individuals, this includes aggregating numbers under ‘Small Volume’ headings as appropriate.