Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

May I just touch on the National Treatment Purchase Fund? In talking about that, I am also talking about the treatment abroad fund, which is different. People are now being encouraged to travel abroad for some medical treatment although there are facilities in the South to deal with some of the treatments being provided abroad. What are we doing to deal with this issue, so we can keep the work here and make sure it is done in a timely manner rather than requiring people to travel long distances? Is adequate funding provided for the National Treatment Purchase Fund? The problem is that our hospitals will all be under increased pressure due to the backlog of work not done in 2020.

How can the Minister make sure there is catch-up, particularly where there are facilities where this work can be done?