Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2024
346. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health to quantify the amount of money spent on the treatment purchase fund in each of the last five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11233/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra351. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the countries where treatment was delivered under the treatment purchase fund in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11248/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) 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. In providing hospital treatment the NTPF works with both pubic hospitals (insourcing) and private hospitals (outsourcing) . In order to ensure competitive pricing as part of their outsourcing programme, the NTPF works with private hospitals from a panel agreement and engages in procurement processes through e-tender. The clinical suitability of the patient to avail of NTPF funded treatment is determined by the public hospital. The availability of capacity for the specific procedure required by the patient is a factor in the selection of treatment provider, as well as the ability and willingness of the patient to travel to another hospital to avail of treatment.
In relation to the particular queries raised by the Deputy, the NTPF has advised my Department that treatment funded by the NTPF took place within the State and in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years. The attached table outlines the amount of funding drawn down each year by the NTPF from 2019 to 2023.
National Tretament Purchase Fund Amounts Drawn Down 2019-2023
|
Year |
€ |
|
2019 |
€75,000,000 |
|
2020 |
€80,000,000 |
|
2021 |
€110,000,000 |
|
2022 |
€125,000,000 |
|
2023 |
€190,000,000 |
Source: NTPF Certified Annual Financial Statements 2019-2022, Draft Annual Financial Statements 2023
