To ask the Minister of Health to detail how he will address waiting times for (i) paediatric squint surgery; and (ii) adult squint surgery.

The Belfast Trust is currently focusing efforts on the reduction of the adult and paediatric motility waiting lists. The Trust is current running a pilot utilising Orthoptics colleagues in theatre which has helped reduce the amount of cancellations and improve the overall pathway for patients. The pilot has allowed for approximately 14 lists to proceed from October 2024 to date with approximately 20 patients operated on and a further 20 removed by orthoptic assessment (without ophthalmology visits) as surgery no longer required. The paediatric waiting list was approx. Four years at the beginning of the pilot but this has since reduced to 18 months. My Department has also provided funding for an additional theatre session for paediatric squint surgery in South Eastern Trust. This additional session commenced in February 2025.