Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 228: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she audits the National Treatment Purchase Fund referrals; and, if so, if she proposes to publish the outcomes of the patients it refers. [14228/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I am satisfied that adequate audit mechanisms exist in relation to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). Since its establishment, a pattern of regular meetings with my officials together with contacts, on an almost daily basis, have been the norm. The NTPF is required to present me with an annual report of its activities. This it has done every year. The report includes an account of its performance against the service plan which is agreed annually with my Department. As a matter of course, the operation of the NTPF is audited annually by the Comptroller and Auditor General and the results are published. Other reports on the various aspects of NTPF activity such as the Out-Patient initiative and the Patient Treatment Register are reported on and published at regular intervals throughout the year. The PTR report in particular, includes an amount of statistical analytical information. The NTPF also makes detailed information available on its two websites — NTPF.ie and PTR.ie.