Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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73. To ask the Minister for Health the way, under the National Treatment Purchase fund, a person (details supplied) can access an urgently needed knee replacement operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29985/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The NTPF previously arranged for the provision of hospital treatment to classes of persons determined by the Minister. Since 2011 this function has been suspended. Currently, in accordance with Reg 4(1) of the NTPF Board (Establishment) Order 2004, the NTPF carries out activities in respect of data and analytics, audit and quality assurance of waiting lists and pricing under the Nursing Home Support Scheme.

The NTPF supports the management of in-patient, day-case and outpatient waiting lists, by working with the HSE to assist hospitals in developing local demand and capacity planning and providing technical guidance materials to ensure the highest standard of data quality and practice.

The expertise amassed by the NTPF in respect of waiting lists has proven invaluable in assisting the HSE to administer previous waiting list initiatives and in carrying out smaller-scale targeted initiatives in areas such as endoscopy.

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. My Department 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.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.