Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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90. To ask the Minister for Health the data that exists relating to the number of treatments commissioned from the private sector versus the number of treatments carried out; the number, type and value of services and surgeries commissioned from the private sector; the number, type and value, the cost to the State and savings to the state of services and surgeries carried out by the private sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37852/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Treatments have been commissioned from the private sector by both the National Treatment Purchase Fund and the HSE in targeted initiatives to reduce waiting list numbers.

The NTPF was established on a statutory basis in 2004 and previously arranged for the provision of hospital treatment to classes of persons determined by the Minister. Since 2011 this function has been suspended.

I include with the official report a tabular statement setting out details of the annual budget of the NTPF and the number of patients treated per annum since its inception.

The additional detailed information sought by the Deputy relating to patient treatment in the private sector is not available to me at this time. However, I have asked the NTPF to provide me with the information requested and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.

In relation to treatments commissioned from the private sector by the HSE, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.