John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 190: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the recommendations made by the sub-committee established to examine a designated transport system for patients who have to travel to Dublin for radiotherapy treatment; if this sub-committee has completed its findings; when she will implement the recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27009/05]

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 appropriate 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 provision of radiation oncology services.

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 coordinating group, NROCG, provides advice to my Department and the HSE on radiotherapy. In light of the above 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.