John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I again apologise that the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, cannot be present to take this Adjournment matter, which I will take on her behalf. PET-CT scanning is one of a number of sophisticated diagnostic tools used in acute hospital settings in the diagnosis and management of disease. In 2006, the HSE decided to procure a PET-CT scanner for Cork University Hospital, CUH. As the Deputy is aware, construction of the new facility and installation of the scanner was completed in 2009. The Government has made clear that a critical part of its strategy to restore the public finances is to achieve sustainability in the cost of delivering public services relative to State revenues. To help achieve this goal, it will be necessary to restructure and reorganise the public service and to reduce public service numbers over the coming years. This requires that the moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the health service will continue to apply until the numbers have fallen to the level set out in the employment control framework for the health sector. The framework gives effect to the Government decision on employment policy in the public sector and provides that there will be a net reduction in employment. This includes a target reduction in numbers of 1,520 in 2010 and consequential payroll savings. There is provision in the HSE's employment control framework for some exemptions and exceptions, such as medical consultants and certain diagnostic support staff. However, these are limited, because of the need to achieve the required payroll savings. Health employment levels are monitored by the joint employment control monitoring committee, comprising officials from Departments of Health and Children and Finance and the HSE.

With regard to Cork, I am pleased to confirm to Deputy Stanton that funding has been provided for a consultant radiologist with a special interest in PET-CT and this post will be considered by the HSE's consultant appointments advisory committee at its November meeting. As the recruitment and appointment of a permanent consultant can take several months, it is intended to fill the post in a temporary capacity until a permanent appointment can be made.

In addition, the recruitment process for a number of critical support staff will commence in January 2011.

Accordingly, it is intended to proceed with the PET/CT service at Cork University Hospital early in the new year. In the transitional period before the PET/CT in the hospital becomes operational, patients will continue to travel to St. James's Hospital or the Mater Hospital in Dublin, with which the HSE has service level agreements for provision of PET/CT services. In 2009, a total of 108 patients from the Cork and Kerry region were referred to St. James's and the Mater, in line with service level agreements in place.

The HSE is working to bring this project into operation as soon as possible, to ensure that the people of Cork and Kerry have easy access to the most advanced diagnostics available and that better outcomes are achieved for patients. I am very pleased that this important and worthwhile development can go ahead. I hope this is a change from what he expected.

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