Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 48: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in regard to her recent meeting with representatives of the proposed 40 bed Whitfield Clinic, if an estimate has been done in regard to the cost of the provision, commissioning and operation of the two linear accelerators proposed; the extent of the State's contribution to the provision, commission and operation of the two linear accelerators (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5443/05]

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 51: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if funding will be provided for radiotherapy for public patients at a private hospital in the south east; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5480/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 51 together.

I had a meeting on 10 February with representatives of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and EuroCare International, at which they outlined their plans to provide acute hospital services, including radiotherapy, at a private clinic in Waterford. Estimates on the costs of the provision, commissioning or operation of those services are entirely a matter for the private clinic. I am in the process of developing an overall policy framework to identify the policy issues to be addressed and the key criteria to be applied in developing private facilities on public hospital sites. I hope to complete this work in a matter of weeks.