Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022
111. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the impact on public finances of the of the National Treatment Purchase Fund and the likelihood that that impact will grow ever greater over future years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11495/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraQueries in relation to the National Treatment Purchase Fund are matters in the first instance for the Minister for Health who has policy responsibility in this area.
The budgetary allocation for the National Treatment Purchase Fund in 2022 is €150 million consisting of €100 million of core funding and €50 million in once-off Covid funding. This funding is targeted at delivering timely access to acute hospital services which is a key goal of Sláintecare and the funding is used to improve access to services and reduce waiting times for patients. The level of expenditure on the NTPF has increased over the last five years, with average year-on-year increases of around €25 million since 2018 including once-off funding.
The overall allocation for the Department of Health for 2022 is over €22 billion and this allocation has been provided to significantly increase capacity with more hospital and community care beds and additional doctors, nurses and consultants. Budget 2022 provides further resources to drive the strategic reform of the health system in line with Sláintecare.
Any future allocation for the National Treatment Purchase Fund will be subject to engagement as part of the Estimates process as is standard practice for expenditure programmes.
