Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

I thank Deputy Twomey for raising this matter on the Adjournment of the House. I am replying on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney.

As the Deputy will be aware, operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services rests with the Health Service Executive. This includes responsibility for the provision of pain management clinics. The provision of spinal simulator devices for pain control are provided publicly at a number of hospitals, including St. Vincent's Hospital, Elm Park, Beaumont Hospital and Waterford Regional Hospital. Demand for this service has risen dramatically in the past 12 to 18 months.

The primary role of the National Treatment Purchase Fund is to arrange treatment for public patients who have been waiting longest for surgery. To date the NTPF has arranged treatment for 40,000 patients. This is not just a cosmetic exercise.

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