The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has revealed that more than 622,000 people are waiting for an outpatient appointment and 81,000 people are waiting on in-patient or day case appointments, 22% higher than this time last year.
Appearing before the Oireachtas Health Committee this afternoon, Mr Donnelly told TDs and Senators that Covid-19 has exacerbated an already challenging situation.
He said that it is the intention of the HSE to keep the planned levels of activity, performance and reform, as set out in the National Service Plan, under close review.
The chair of the HSE board will update the Minister on the plan next month. The HSE is seeing a 95% reduction in Covid infection rates for healthcare staff.