John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 182: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the plans she has in place to increase the bed capacity of the neurosurgical unit in Beaumont Hospital in view of the fact that this is the only facility for the whole of Ireland, with only 60 beds; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that as of 31 January 2005 there are 50 patients with critical life-threatening illnesses awaiting admission with 700 patients awaiting treatment which cannot be treated under the national treatment purchase scheme; her message to the persons on the waiting list; if she will take immediate action to address this urgent out of control situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3417/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.

Services at Beaumont Hospital are provided under an arrangement with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern regional area to examine the particular issues raised and to reply to the Deputy directly.

As the Deputy may be aware, Comhairle na nOspidéal was asked, in February 2002, to carry out a review of neurosurgical services, focusing in particular on the provision of adequate capacity and equity of access. I expect the review to be completed in the near future. The development of neurosurgical services will be progressed having regard to the recommendations contained in the Comhairle report.

The national treatment purchase fund has arranged, and will continue to arrange, treatment for patients who require certain neurological procedures and who have been waiting longer than three months.