Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 88: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that her Department is in breach of its guidelines (details supplied); the position regarding the brief for a designated oncology unit for Waterford Regional Hospital. [15954/05]

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 the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the delivery of hospital services, including the application of guidelines for the use of cytotoxic medical preparations in the treatment of patients with cancer. Accordingly, my Department has requested the director of the National Hospitals Office to investigate the matters raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 89: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the proposals of the sub-committee on radiotherapy for the provision of designated transport arrangements for the south east; when these proposals will be available; if designated funding will be made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15955/05]

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 the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. The national radiation oncology co-ordinating group provides advice to my Department and the Health Service Executive on radiotherapy, including transport arrangements. I understand the group will shortly write to the HSE on this matter.

Appropriate transport arrangements for patients requiring radiotherapy should be made available, where necessary, by the HSE. Accordingly, at my request, my Department has asked the director of the National Hospitals Office to examine the provision of transport on a national basis for such patients as a matter of priority.