David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this matter on the Adjournment. It has come to my attention that a positron emission tomography, PET, scanner located in Cork is not operational. In addition, I understand that only one such publicly-owned scanner, located in St. James's Hospital, Dublin, is in operation in the State. The cost of installing this scanner in Cork was €3.8 million and I am informed the overall cost of the centre there was €6.8 million. Although the machine was installed at a cost of millions of euro, it is not in operation and other issues arise in this regard. I am informed that nationally, a total of 5,551 PET scans were carried out in the eight months from January to August 2010, only 199 of which came from the southern region. It appears as though people may not be getting this service because they are obliged to travel to Dublin to avail of it. Last year, it cost €1 million for people from the south to travel to Dublin to undergo scans, even though the aforementioned machine is sitting idle in Cork. People are obliged to travel to Dublin at their own expense and I am sure the Minister of State realises that people who are obliged to do this may have cancer or may be quite ill and that this is stressful, time-consuming and expensive.

Why has this machine and its associated centre been sitting idle in Cork for so long at great expense to the State? Why are people being forced to travel to Dublin for scans? How many people are waiting for scans within the HSE at present and for how long? Why is the scanner located in St. James's Hospital in operation while the one located in Cork is not? What staff are needed to make the PET scanner operational and how much would it cost to employ them? One should bear in mind that €6.8 million already has been spent in an unused investment, which surely constitutes a waste. I understand that Cork University Hospital, CUH, applied for a radiologist post in May 2009. What is the position with regard to that post? Has it been funded or approved? As I stated, the cost to HSE south for scans in Dublin for 2008, 2009 and the first eight months of 2010 has been more than €1 million, even though a machine is available in Cork. Moreover, I presume that more money has been spent subsequently.

This is a serious issue. The CUH is the cancer centre of excellence for the south of Ireland and it would make sense - I am sure it is Government policy - to have this PET scanner up and running. I realise the Minister of State probably has to hand a pre-prepared script that he is about to read out and that he probably is unable to answer any of the questions I have asked. However, I ask him to revert to me privately with the answers at some point. This exemplifies the farce that is the Adjournment debate. One cannot have a proper debate even though Members have tried to effect changes and reform but nothing at all has happened. I am glad that a senior Minister is present in the Chamber to hear this point. However, this is a serious life and death issue to which people in the south seek answers, as do the medical staff, those who are suffering from cancer and the taxpayers who have spent €6.8 million to date for a facility that is lying idle. When will this centre become operational and when can the investment be put to work for the people? When will the patients in that region have the use of this important facility?

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