Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have outlined to the Deputy how we are using the capacity that is available in the private hospital sector while building up the capacity in the public health sector. I would much rather be able to have adequate capacity in the public health service but it is not possible to bring all of that capacity onstream overnight.

I agree with the Deputy in regard to wanting to remove private practice from our public hospitals. As she knows, in line with the Sláintecare report I have set up the de Buitléir group chaired by Dr. Donal de Buitléir and it is to bring its report back by the end of the year. It is a significant statement for a Minister for Health to say they wish to see private practice removed from public hospitals and how we do that is something the de Buitléir group needs to make a reality. I want to make it clear that is the purpose of the de Buitléir group - to show me the roadmap as to how to do that, rather than to decide whether it is a good or bad idea. I accept it is a good idea.

The programme for Government committed me to utilising the NTPF to provide additional capacity. The approach will support HSE activity and performance management, with additionality being provided by the NTPF. The NTPF has a statutory responsibility in terms of how it procures and uses tendering. It will undertake a number of insourcing arrangements, for example, cataract surgery in the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital. It will use Nenagh General Hospital and will treat lesions in Roscommon General Hospital, and orthopaedic surgeries will take place at Cappagh hospital. Further insourcing arrangements will be put in place and a significant further insourcing arrangement will be the funding of a brand new cataract theatre in Nenagh General Hospital. This is not the old NTPF of the past, where it was all about money for the private health sector. We are looking at using all capacity, including available capacity in the public hospital system.

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