Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Regarding when the report is due back from the CHO, I will find that out directly from the HSE and revert to the Deputy. I absolutely find this unacceptable. Who could find it acceptable? What I am going to do to solve the problem is probably what citizens and the Deputy's constituents want to know. I am very much open to using the National Treatment Purchase Fund as a vehicle. In many ways, we are doing the equivalent by already procuring through private service providers. There is a more effective way of doing that in a co-ordinated way with the National Treatment Purchase Fund that might even drive better value for money and a greater volume of patients. I am due to meet representatives from the National Treatment Purchase Fund this afternoon and I will discuss that matter with them in this context. I have no difficulty whatsoever in considering orthodontics in the context of the putting together our waiting list plans for 2018.

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