Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There were other questions but I am afraid we could keep going. There is a great deal to be said and it is an important conversation.

I addressed the issue of respite already when Senator Burke was out of the room. I addressed it in response to Senator Dolan. The Chairman raised it as well. There is clearly an issue. That is not in any way to criticise HIQA, because HIQA is an independent regulator with a job to do. There is clearly an issue with the HIQA standards being applied and having a direct impact on the number of respite places available. That is the point Senator Burke asked us to analyse. When he was out of the room, I undertook that we would do that in terms of unmet need and projected demand this year, next year and the following year. I indicated that we would get the Minister of State, Deputy McGrath, and the HSE to liaise with the Senator in this regard. We cannot have one arm of the State doing one thing without the other arm preparing to see how best to respond. I take on board that point.

A question was asked about the National Treatment Purchase Fund. The Chairman is right to say the bulk of the work of the NTPF this year is day case work. The numbers have increased somewhat since the document became available. The figure referenced of 1.26 is now up to 2.35. We have seen, through the various initiatives of the HSE and the NTPF, that under phase 1 of the NTPF this year, 2,000 appointments were accepted and 1,112 patients were treated. Under phase 2, which is the inpatient day case insourcing initiative, we have seen 910 appointments accepted. Under the inpatient day case outsourcing initiative, which is a third phase and the final part of this year's plan, we have seen 235 appointments accepted. That is in addition to the outpatient waiting list action plan and the HSE inpatient day case waiting list plan.

Another committee member made a point earlier and it bears repeating. I hope people will be pleased when they see the NTPF initiative for this year, especially with the insourcing element. This will come to the fore especially as we get to the inpatient procedures. Reference was made to hips, knees and so on. I believe there is significant scope, through the NTPF, to insource several of these procedures. Without getting into granular detail, the likes of Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital and theatres there receive revenue from the NTPF through an insourcing initiative. I do not want people to think that, ideologically, I am approaching this in the sense that the NTPF should outsource things. Deputy O’Reilly always thinks that when she is talking to no one in particular.