John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 229: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has examined the transport needs for those who have to travel from the south east to other centres for radiation and chemotherapy treatment; if the report on this issue which was being prepared will now be made available; the amount of funding made available to each region for this type of transport; her intentions relative to this issue and the treatment to be provided in the south-east region in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26240/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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As I have previously indicated to the House, I consider that appropriate transport arrangements for patients requiring radiotherapy should be made available, where necessary, by the Health Service Executive. My Department raised this matter with the HSE last May to ensure that approporiate transport arrangements are put in place on a national basis for patients who are required to travel to obtain radiotherapy. Transport solutions are already a feature of the current provision of radiation oncology services. My Department has asked the HSE to advise the Deputy directly in relation to current and proposed transport arrangements for radiation oncology patients nationally.

Last July I announced the Government's plan for a national network of radiation oncology services to be put in place by 2011 and commencing in 2008. The network will consist of four large centres in Dublin, Cork and Galway and two integrated satellite centres at Waterford Regional Hospital and Limerick Regional Hospital. Appropriate transport arrangements will form part of the planning and implementation of this plan, given the significant increase in capacity involved.

The National Radiation Oncology Co-ordinating Group, NROCG, provides advice to my Department and the HSE on radiotherapy. In light of what I have outlined and the fact that under the Health Act 2004 the HSE has responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services, the NROCG does not intend to prepare a specific report on transport.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 230: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will arrange an early appointment at St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; the reason he was notified of an appointment for March 2007; the reason for such a waiting list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26241/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, 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.