Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 347: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the length of time it takes for a person to see an occupational therapist in County Wexford. [24951/05]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

M J Nolan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 348: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a report will issue from the sub-committee which was set up by her Department to study the needs from a neurological perspective and the possibility of establishing a third neurological unit in Galway; if an interim report will be published; when the final report is due to be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24952/05]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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Comhairle na nOspidéal published a report of a review of neurology and neurophysiology services in April 2003. The report recommended significant enhancement of these services, including increases in consultant staffing. It also made a number of recommendations relating to the development of services, including the continued development and expansion of neurology services in Galway. The future development of these services is a matter for the Health Service Executive, having regard to available funding and other competing service priorities.

At the request of the Department of Health and Children, a committee was established by the former Comhairle na nOspidéal, currently the National Hospitals Office-Comhairle, to review the existing arrangements for the provision of neurosurgical services and consultant staffing nationally, and following consultation with the interests concerned, to make recommendations on the future organisation and development of neurosurgical services. My Department has been informed that this committee is in the process of completing its report. It is not proposed to publish an interim report.