Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The National Treatment Purchase Fund was established under the Health (Corporate Bodies) Act 1961, with the function of providing hospital treatment for citizens and the collection and validation of information in relation to waiting lists. Its role was extended in 2009, via the Nursing Home Support Scheme Act 2009, to provide for negotiations with private nursing homes in the context of fees payable for Fair Deal Clients.

As noted above the NTPF’s statutory remit is in respect of the provision of hospital treatment and does not extend to arranging or funding any non-hospital services, including assessments of need.

As outlined in the 2023 Waiting List Action Plan, Budget 2023 included €80 million allocated to various HSE primary and community care-related activity under the area of Waiting Lists. Of this funding, €11.7 million has been allocated to address backlogs in disability services in relation to the Assessments of Need.