Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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529. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a query regarding a person and conditions of appointment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17750/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In 2011 the NTPF's role in arranging the provision of hospital treatment for patients was suspended. Since that time the post of NTPF CEO was filled on an acting part-time basis. Between 2013 and 2017 Mr Jim O' Sullivan held the post of acting CEO of the NTPF on a part-time basis. No conflict of interest arose in respect of Mr. O' Sullivan's appointment as his role as CEO of the NTPF was clearly defined and distinct from his work within the HSE as Programme Director.

Last October, Budget 2017 allocated €20 million to the NTPF, rising to €55 million in 2018. In line with commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government to reduce waiting times for our longest waiting patients, the NTPF resumed patient treatment commissioning in 2017. As a result of this change in scope of the NTPF's role, the Board of the NTPF decided it would be necessary for the organisation to appoint a full time CEO.

An open recruitment process was carried out by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). Chairman of the Board of the NTPF has advised that Mr. Liam Sloyan will take up the position of CEO in the coming weeks.

In relation to waiting list audits, this one of the key objectives for the NTPF. The NTPF’s Strategy and Action Plan for 2017 – 2019 sets out a detailed programme of work including the development and delivery of an Audit and Quality Assurance Programme for scheduled care.