John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 227: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the likely cost of doubling the number of cancer treatment service centres in the State. [12140/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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There are no plans to double the number of cancer treatment centres nationally. The expert advice from the national cancer forum is that there are too many treatment centres for cancer patients which has resulted in a fragmented delivery system that is not in line with best patient care. There is a clear and expanding evidence base that shows that people who have surgical treatment for many common cancers in larger centres with higher throughput experience better quality of care and better survival.

The national cancer forum is currently developing a new national cancer strategy. The strategy will make recommendations on a balanced organisation of cancer services nationally with defined roles for hospitals in the provision of cancer care. I expect the strategy to be completed in the coming months.