Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 190: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the proposals she has to meet the concerns of the Cancer Care Alliance in the matter of best outcome for all cancer patients (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1006/05]

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 270: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has received the strategy document from the National Cancer Forum on the provision of cancer care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1610/05]

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 271: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will publish the strategy document on the provision of cancer care from the National Cancer Forum before any decisions are made by Government regarding the recommendations from the forum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1611/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 190, 270 and 271 together.

The National Cancer Forum is currently finalising a new national cancer strategy which is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2005. The forum is a multi-disciplinary group of experts and includes representatives of all modalities of cancer care. In developing the new strategy, the forum's considerations have been informed by the broad strategic context in which the cancer strategy exists, a comprehensive review of the current status of cancer care, a review of the literature evidence concerning key aspects of the organisation of cancer services and a review of international models of care. The forum has concluded that the current arrangements for the delivery of cancer services are not generally in accordance with best practice and cannot be recommended to deliver best quality cancer care. The new strategy will set out the key priorities for the development of cancer services over the coming years and will make recommendations in relation to a balanced organisation of cancer services nationally, with defined roles for hospitals in the delivery of cancer care.

In regard to the development of radiation oncology specifically, the Government's policy is based on the report on "The Development of Radiation Oncology Services in Ireland". The predominant view of the group, based on international guidelines of best practice, is that radiation oncology services would be best developed in the context of a clinical network model of large centres. The report was discussed and unanimously endorsed by the National Cancer Forum at its meeting in September 2004 as the framework for the future development of radiation oncology services in this country.

The Government is committed to making the full range of cancer services available and accessible to cancer patients throughout Ireland. To this end, we will provide considerable investment in radiation oncology facilities 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. We are determined to deliver enhanced services for the whole population as soon as possible. There is unanimity about the urgent need for significantly enhanced services in the major population centres of Dublin, Cork and Galway. I will keep the question of networked satellite locations under active review.