Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

Most people accept that the National Treatment Purchase Fund has proven to be a very effective mechanism in the context of dealing with delays and reducing waiting lists. Some €30 million has now been taken out of its budget. Will the Minister confirm that this money will be spent by the special delivery unit on ensuring the capacity the National Treatment Purchase Fund would otherwise have had if there had been no reduction in its budget will be used to reduce the waiting lists relating to elective and emergency surgeries, MRI scans etc.? I am concerned the National Treatment Purchase Fund should continue to be in a position to refer people on to private hospitals in respect of having procedures carried out. The major issue that arises here is that the special delivery unit might use up most of the €30 million to which I refer in covering administration costs rather than in disbursing it in the form of direct funding to patients.

I wish to comment on the position relating to hospital trusts, particularly in the context of Roscommon County Hospital. Prior to the general election the Minister stated:

We will establish Roscommon County Hospital as a stand alone hospital. It will continue to be owned by the State, but will be governed and managed by a Local Hospital Board...

If that is the case, will legislation be required to establish the hospital as a stand-alone facility? Will the hospital be used by the special delivery unit in the context of the provision of elective surgery or will it be in a position to operate independently of the unit?

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