Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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2054. To ask the Minister for Health if orthodontic work is covered under the NTPF (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18999/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) works with public hospitals, as opposed to with patients directly, to offer and provide the funding for treatment to clinically suitable long waiting patients who are on an inpatient/day case waiting list for surgery, having been referred on to such a list following clinical assessment by a consultant/specialist at an outpatient clinic.

The NTPF does provide treatment for patients who are awaiting procedures under the category of 'Dental/Maxilla-Facial Surgery'. The key criteria of the NTPF is the prioritisation of the longest waiting patients first. While the NTPF identifies patients eligible for NTPF treatment, it is solely on the basis of their time spent on the Inpatient/Daycase Waiting List. The clinical suitability of the patient to avail of NTPF funded treatment is determined by the public hospital.

Regarding orthodontics specifically, I am aware that there are currently delays in accessing this service and the HSE has put in place a number of measures to address waiting times. These include prioritisation of the filling of permanent vacancies, treatment waiting list initiatives, services improvement initiatives and access to orthodontic services outside the jurisdiction for patients who meet the HSE's criteria.

In particular, there has been significant investment of €17m between 2022 and 2024 to support access to children’s orthodontic treatment. This funding has seen the creation of a new initiative supporting access to jaw surgery for orthodontic patients and the transfer of over 4000 patients into private, community-based orthodontic treatment. These successful initiatives are being continued this year through the provision of €2.85 million in funding nationally.