Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

Yes. In other words, we will ring-fence the money for orthopaedics, because it is very measurable, and procure that service based on value for money. Clearly, there is a substantial variation throughout the country in the context of what one can receive for a specific amount of money. That is evident from the case mix. The money taxpayers make available must be used as productively as possible. I am having discussions with the National Treatment Purchase Fund and the HSE on the procurement of that service for 2011. As Deputy Jan O'Sullivan acknowledged, the resource group recommended that we would move in this direction in the future and it might be good to start along this road during 2011 in order that we are clear what we can get and that we can make appropriate use of our public capacity.

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