Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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1220. To ask the Minister for Health the timeline for the restoration of the National Treatment Purchase Fund as per the minority Government facilitation agreement between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25294/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Partnership Government (PfPG) emphasises the need for sustained commitment to improving waiting times for patients, with a particular focus on those patients waiting longest. It commits to €15 million funding to the NTPF for an initiative targeted at those waiting longest as part of a continued investment of €50 million per year to reduce waiting lists. The Department of Health is working closely with the HSE and the NTPF to develop specific initiatives focused on reducing waiting lists in 2017 in accordance with the PfPG's commitments.

Already this year, the NTPF has launched the Endoscopy Initiative 2016 which will assist in reducing waiting lists and waiting times for endoscopy procedures for those patients who are currently waiting over 12 months.