Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Cancer patients in the south east who must travel to Dublin for radiotherapy treatment have the worst transport options in the whole country. While taxis and ambulances are laid on in other parts of the country, and rightly so, patients in the south east are expected to make their own way to the nearest hospital before travelling to Dublin, or else make their own way to Dublin.

In August 2004, the South Eastern Health Board admitted to the national radiation-oncology co-ordinating group that, unlike other health boards, there was no structured dedicated system in place in the south east. In Waterford, efforts are made to accommodate patients using public transport. Obviously this is not suitable in trying to make appointments at acceptable times. Most patients in Waterford travel with their family in a private car. In Wexford, a mini bus leaves the general hospital at 8 a.m. each day but patients must make their own way to the hospital. In Kilkenny, a mini bus leaves for St. Luke's Hospital at 7.30 a.m. each morning and will only collect patients in exceptional circumstances.

The Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, has repeatedly referred to the Health Service Executive's dedicated transport arrangements for cancer patients. However, this is certainly not the case in the south east. When will the Minister match her words with actions and how long more will seriously ill people have to put up with the current ad hoc system?

The provision of a public radiotherapy facility in Waterford Regional Hospital, as promised by the Government parties before the last general election, is the ultimate solution to the problem. The Minister had talks recently with consultants regarding a public private partnership to provide a dedicated cancer facility, including a radiotherapy facility, on the grounds of Waterford Regional Hospital. Will the Minister of State indicate when a decision will be made on this matter? Time is of the essence. It would take some years before the radiotherapy facility would be up and running. In the meantime, more and more people must endure the pain and suffering involved in travelling to Dublin for a service that should be delivered in the south-east.

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's policy on radiation oncology is based on the report entitled The Development of Radiation Oncology Services in Ireland. Considerable investment will be provided for in the coming years. The central aim is to ensure access by cancer patients throughout the country to high-quality radiation oncology in line with best international standards.

Significant progress is being made in implementing the report's recommendations. In 2004, approval was given to open the new radiation oncology department in University College Hospital, Galway, and to expand capacity at Cork University Hospital. The immediate developments in Cork and Galway will result in a significant increase in the numbers of patients receiving radiation oncology in the shorter term.

The centre at Cork University Hospital will provide services for patients in the southern, south-eastern and mid-western areas. Approval has issued for the purchase of two additional linear accelerators for this centre and the necessary capital investment, amounting to over €4 million, to commission this service as rapidly as possible. These linear accelerators were ordered and the first has been installed. It is expected that the second will be installed and commissioned by the autumn. Two additional consultant radiation oncologists will be appointed at Cork University Hospital and will have sessional commitments to the south-eastern and mid-western areas.

A national radiation oncology co-ordinating group was established comprising clinical, technical, managerial, academic and nursing experts from different regions. The group's remit encompasses recommending measures to facilitate improved access to existing and planned services, including transport and accommodation. The group is currently developing a national telesynergy network for oncology services. The Health Service Executive, South-Eastern Area, has advised the Department that a telesynergy system should be installed at Waterford Regional Hospital. Arrangements are now being made to install this technology at the hospital. It will enable the hospital to develop improved linkages with the centre at Cork University Hospital and St. Luke's Hospital, Dublin. Some €1 million has been earmarked for this development, which will improve access and reduce consultant and patient travel time.

Since 1997, the Health Service Executive, South-Eastern Area, has received an investment of approximately €55 million for oncology services, including this year's allocation of an additional €710,000 from national cancer strategy funding to address increased regional pressures in oncology services. This funding has provided for the approval of an additional ten consultants in key areas of cancer care. The funding has also provided for the appointment of 26 cancer care nurse specialists across the south-eastern area.

I fully acknowledge the trauma patients and their families experience as a result of a diagnosis of cancer. I also acknowledge fully the difficulties associated with travelling times and distances for cancer treatment, including radiation oncology. Such treatment is often necessary over a period, frequently when patients are ill. The overriding requirement is that patients have access to quality care in line with best international standards. This requirement cannot be compromised for geographic reasons. However, the health services are required to examine innovative and improved transport solutions.

The transport policy in place in the Health Service Executive, South-Eastern Area, is based on individual patient need. Transport is provided by the executive for patients whose medical conditions require such support and for those patients who are unable to make their own transport arrangements. The Health Service Executive has assured the Department that patients in genuine need will be provided with transport. The Health Service Executive, South-Eastern Area, will examine requests on a case-by-case basis. Frequently, family members will want to provide such transport and to accompany their relatives for treatment. It is important to recognise this commitment of family members to the care and support of relatives.

The Government is committed to the development of cancer services in the south-eastern area. All the developments I have outlined will bring substantial benefits to people living in the south-east. The Government will continue to work with the management of health services in the area to ensure that the best possible service is available. I am glad to have had the opportunity to place on the record of the House the substantial developments that continue to take place in cancer services nationally and in the south-eastern area in particular.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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I asked whether there will be a dedicated transport service for cancer patients in the south-east. It is available in all parts of the country except this region and the Minister of State has said this. The issue has been fluffed in that he stated the transport service is tailored to individual needs. This is not the case in other parts of the country. Why are the people of the south-east being discriminated against in this regard?

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive has assured the Department that patients in genuine need will be provided with transport.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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Anybody with cancer has genuine need.

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I do not dispute that, but I have made the point that I am assured by the Health Service Executive that where there is a specific need for transport it is provided. If the Senator has a case in mind regarding which this has not happened, and which he wants me to follow up, I will be happy to pursue it on his behalf.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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I have many cases in mind.