Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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562. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the funding for the National Treatment Purchase Fund and the special delivery unit is being cut by 64% in 2014; the expected impact of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44598/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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In July 2011 I announced changes to the remit of the NTPF, namely its role would be changed to support the mission of the Special Delivery Unit (SDU) within the Health Service Executive (HSE). The NTPF is now fully aligned with the SDU and is targeting waiting lists strategically and assisting in the performance management of hospitals to reduce waiting times. The NTPF capability is a core part of the SDU's performance improvement role in holding public hospitals to account. Any funding to support the SDU performance improvement programmes is now part of the HSE Vote, and this is reflected in the level of NTPF funding.

The NTPF allocation for 2013 was €13.987 million, of which just under €10million was allocated to meet liabilities arising from treatments carried out during 2012. The provision in the Estimates for Public Services 2014 reflects the fact that it is not envisaged that there will be any significant level of such liabilities in 2014.