Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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218. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on hospital waiting lists for treatment at the time the National Treatment Purchase Fund scheme was suspended, broken down by hospital, speciality and length of time on waiting lists (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12530/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The NTPF was established on a statutory basis in 2004. Since its establishment, the NTPF has carried out a range of functions including: arranging the provision of hospital treatment; maintaining and validating waiting list data; and making arrangements in relation to the price for long-term residential care services under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme.

Since 2012, the NTPF's role has focussed on: the maintenance, audit and quality assurance of waiting lists; pricing under the Nursing Home Support Scheme; and supporting the HSE in the delivery of a number of waiting list initiatives. During this time, its annual budget allocation has been aligned with these functions.

The NTPF facilitated a number of insourcing initiatives in 2012 and 2013. Its budget for patient care was significantly reduced starting from 2014. The waiting list numbers for 2014 onwards are published by the NTPF broken down by hospital, specialty and wait time and are available to view at NTPF.ie.