416. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the steps she will take to address the 107-day waiting time for urgent outpatient paediatric referrals at Regional Hospital Mullingar; if she will intervene in the case of a 5-month-old infant (details supplied) who has been waiting four weeks for an urgent chest assessment following repeated hospitalisations for respiratory issues; if she is aware the referral hasn't been accepted yet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74985/26]

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.

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. The Minister for Health is prohibited from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

In relation to the individual query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.