John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 115: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has received a proposal from the Health Service Executive to implement the 2003 recommendation from Comhairle na n-Ospidéal that a neurological service was urgently required in the south east region and that two consultant neurologists should be appointed to Waterford Regional Hospital; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there are 55,000 people in the former South Eastern Health Board area requiring neurological services (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31265/05]

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 provision of neurology services.

The Comhairle report on neurology and neurophysiology, which was published in April 2003, recommended significant enhancement of these services, including the appointment of consultants in Waterford. Following the report's publication, my predecessor endorsed the report's recommendations and wrote to all the health boards urging them to progress the recommendations as available funding permitted.

Additional revenue funding was made available in 2005 to support the development of neurology-neurophysiology services in a number of regions, having regard to agreed priorities. The continuing development of the services is a matter for the Health Service Executive, having regard to available funding. Accordingly, my Department will request the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.