Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 344: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding St. Luke's Hospital, Dublin, in respect of funding future plans; if the maximum support will be given to the Friends of St. Luke's; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24945/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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On 25 July 2005 I announced the Government's plan for a national network for radiation oncology services to be put in place by 2011. The plan will consist of four large centres in Dublin, Cork and Galway and two integrated satellite centres at Waterford Regional Hospital and Limerick Regional Hospital. I am convinced that it is essential to retain the commitment, expertise, tradition and ethos of St. Luke's Hospital and its staff as an integral part of the new national network. The Government has agreed that the radiation oncology staff and services at St. Luke's Hospital will relocate to the St. James's Hospital facility on a managed and phased basis over the full transition period to 2011.

I recognise the need for additional capacity nationally by 2008. For that reason I have approved two additional and two replacement linear accelerators for St. Luke's to facilitate maintenance and appropriate development of the services in the interim. A project team has been established to progress this development. I wish to acknowledge the substantial financial contribution that the Friends of St. Luke's has made to the development of radiation oncology services. I am anxious to see that role strengthening as radiation oncology develops in line with best international practice. I am open to meeting with the Friends of St. Luke's to set out the Government's plans, which are widely recognised as being in the best interests of cancer patients nationally.