Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

I listened with great interest to the Senators' contributions on oncology services. Members of the Houses are often accused of being irrelevant but this debate is one with which most families throughout the country can identify. Few families have not been affected in some way by cancer.

This Government remains committed to making the full range of cancer services available and accessible to cancer patients throughout the country, in accordance with best international standards. Our commitment can be seen in the considerable investment made in cancer services since 1997. To continue this commitment into the future, the Tánaiste has allocated an additional €9 million in 2006 for oncology services nationwide. This will bring the additional cumulative investment since 1997 to approximately €900 million.

The Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive are currently making progress with the arrangements for the full implementation of the national plan for radiation oncology services announced by the Tánaiste last July. It is expected that these arrangements will be completed and in place by 2011. In the meantime, the process for the initial provision of two interim on-site modular demountable units on the site of St. Luke's Hospital to facilitate maintenance and appropriate development of the service is well advanced. The timeframe for the completion and commissioning of the two new demountable bunkers and machines is early to mid-2007, depending on the provider selected, and the approximate projected cost is €20 million.

The Department has asked the HSE to ensure that appropriate transport arrangements are put in place on a national basis for patients who are required to travel to obtain radiotherapy. Transport arrangements will form a significant part of the national plan for radiation oncology services. With regard to the provision of radiotherapy in private facilities, the national radiation oncology co-ordinating group has submitted quality standards for the provision of radiation oncology services for public patients and these are currently being considered by the Department.

There was reference to the meeting of the Tánaiste with the Minister for Health in Northern Ireland. They have agreed that the new Belfast cancer centre will treat patients for radiation oncology. Details will be finalised in discussions involving the HSE, Belfast City Hospital and the respective Departments.