Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney.

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver or arrange to be delivered on its behalf health and personal social services. The introduction of additional CT scanners to the public health system, including at the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, is a matter for the HSE in the context of its management of the health capital programme.

The Tánaiste recently announced capital funding of €578.5 million in 2006 to facilitate further improvements to the health infrastructure nationally. This will allow progress through planning, construction or equipping stages for various projects and will also allow for continued significant investment in the important area of minor capital across all health care programmes.

The Department has been advised by the HSE midland area that there are currently no CT scanning facilities available at Portlaoise hospital. Currently, CT scanning services required by patients attending Portlaoise are provided at the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore. The national hospitals office of the HSE has advised the Department that the procurement of a CT scanner for Portlaoise has been prioritised in the context of any capital allocation of funding for the midland area in 2006.

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