Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 195: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has considered the introduction of a national diagnostic purchase fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35463/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) was established to expedite the provision of treatment for patients on public hospital waiting lists who have been waiting longest for surgery. In this context diagnostic services, such as MRIs, are provided to public patients as part of their treatment under the scheme. I have no plans to expand the remit of the NTPF or introduce a national diagnostic purchase fund. Diagnostic services are provided by public acute hospitals to in patients and out patients and to general practitioners.