The delivery of elective-only hospitals and proper workforce planning will be key to reducing waiting lists for patients, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice.
Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, made his comments in response to the Government’s Waiting List Action Plan 2025.
He said:
“While I welcome publication of the plan and acknowledge that some progress has been made, waiting lists remain unacceptably high.
“The recruitment of additional healthcare workers to reach safe staffing levels, along with improved bed capacity, will be required to meet Sláintecare targets.
“The opening of four elective-only hospitals – two in Dublin and one each in Cork and Galway – were also recommended as part of the rollout of Sláintecare, with a delivery timeline of 2027/28. However, we are nowhere near meeting this target.
“Elective-only hospitals would help free up capacity in existing hospitals and, crucially, would significantly reduce waiting lists.
“It is also concerning that of the €420 million allocated in the Waiting List Action Plan for 2025, €230 million is being provided to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF).
“The NTPF was supposed to be a temporary measure when it was first introduced but now it seems that outsourcing our health services has become the norm.
“Instead of allowing this creeping privatisation across our health and social care sectors, the Government should be investing that money into building proper public services.
“The Social Democrats will continue to push for legislation to underpin and maintain targets for maximum waiting times. This is the level of accountability that is sorely needed.”
February 13, 2025