Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2025
869. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the mechanisms by which the National Treatment Purchase Fund are accountable to the Minister and to the Oireachtas; if she intends to ensure that the National Treatment Purchase Fund is directly accountable to the Oireachtas and Oireachtas Committees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32437/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) is an independent body established under Statutory Instrument (S.I.) 179 - National Treatment Purchase Fund (Establishment) Order, 2004 as amended by S.I. No. 125 of 2007, the Health (Miscellaneous Provision) Act 2007 and the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act (2009).
The NTPF Board is responsible for ensuring good governance and compliance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and that it meets its strategic objectives. There is regular correspondence and contact between officials in my Department and the Senior Management Team of the NTPF to ensure compliance with the Code of Practice and to monitor the overall performance of the organisation. This is done through formal quarterly Governance Meetings as well as through ongoing regular engagement, including in respect of the implementation of Best Practice Reporting, the National Waiting List Forum, the development of the National Waiting List Protocols, performance under the Waiting List Action Plan, and more generally in respect of waiting list reporting.
The NTPF Chief Executive Officer, is required to appear before the Public Accounts Committee as specified in the establishing legislation, and potentially other Dáil committees should a formal invitation be made for the body to be considered at such forums.
