Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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297. To ask the Minister for Health the way a person can access the National Treatment Purchase Fund after they have been waiting an extended period of time for an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32646/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The National Treatment Purchase Fund (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.

The Programme for Partnership Government emphasises the need for sustained commitment to improving waiting times for patients, with a particular focus on those patients waiting longest. At my request, in August, the HSE developed an action plan to reduce, by year end, the number of patients currently waiting 18 months or more for an inpatient/daycase procedure.

In line with the Government priority, the Budget 2017 provides for the treatment of our longest-waiting patients. Funding of €20m is being allocated to the NTPF, rising to €55m in 2018. Planning of this initiative is at an advanced stage by the NTPF, my Department and the HSE. Also within current resources, the NTPF is currently implementing an Endoscopy Initiative which aims to ensure that, by year end, no patient will be waiting 12 months or more for an endoscopy procedure.

Under waiting list initiatives run by the NTPF, it liaises directly with hospitals to identify patients to be treated. The patients are then contacted to arrange the details of treatment.