The Minister for Health, Micheál Martin, has said that there has been a significant fall in hospital waiting lists.
Figures released by the National Treatment Purchase Fund this afternoon show that 37% of patients have now been waiting between three and six months.
The figures also indicate that 43% of patients have been waiting between six and 12 months for surgery.
The Opposition has criticised the Government over its failure to end hospital waiting lists within two years, as promised during the General Election campaign.
The Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said there were 27,000 people on such lists.
This afternoon, a group of Labour deputies including Labour leader Pat Rabbitte and deputy leader Liz McManus, held a brief protest outside Government Buildings.
According to Ms McManus, the Labour Party will continue to remind Mr Ahern of his failure to deliver on an election promise.
