Written answers

Thursday, 27 October 2005

Department of Health and Children

Health Services

5:00 pm

Photo of Brian O'SheaBrian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 126: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the priority she will seek for cancer services in budget 2006 in view of the fact that one in three of the population will be diagnosed with cancer and that one in four will die of cancer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31283/05]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Since 1997 there has been a cumulative additional investment of approximately €720 million in the development of appropriate treatment and care services for people with cancer. This investment has enabled the funding of over 100 additional consultant posts in key areas of cancer care throughout the country. An evaluation of the first national cancer strategy demonstrated that the key goal of the strategy, to achieve a 15% decrease in mortality from cancer in the under-65 age group was achieved in 2001, three years ahead of target.

The Government is committed to making the full range of cancer services available and accessible to cancer patients throughout Ireland in accordance with best international standards. It is important to build teams of highly expert clinicians working together to deliver top quality cancer care to patients. To this end, we will provide considerable investment in oncology services in the coming years.

The national cancer forum is currently finalising a new national cancer strategy. The strategy has been developed in consultation with major stakeholders, including professional, voluntary groups and the general public, and will have regard to the multifaceted aspects of cancer control. The strategy will set out the key priorities for the development of cancer services over the coming years and will make recommendations in regard to a balanced organisation of cancer services nationally, with defined roles for hospitals in the delivery of cancer care. I expect the forum to submit the new strategy to me by the end of this year.

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 128: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her estimate of the difference in cost efficiency of publicly and privately run nursing homes. [31299/05]

Photo of Seán PowerSeán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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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, the 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.

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 129: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has conducted an assessment of the need for new nursing home, convalescence and step-down facilities; and if the detailed gaps are used by her to provide information to the Department of Finance on the specification of tax relief for this sector. [31300/05]

Photo of Seán PowerSeán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Mercer report on the future financing of long-term care in Ireland, which was commissioned by the Department of Social and Family Affairs, examined all issues surrounding the financing of long-term care. Following on the publication of this report, a working group chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach and comprising senior officials from the Departments of Finance, Health and Children and Social and Family Affairs has been established.

The objective of this group is to identify the policy options for a financially sustainable system of long-term care, including improvements in community care, taking account of the Mercer report, the views of the consultation that was undertaken on that report and the review of the nursing home subvention scheme by Professor Eamon O'Shea. I understand that the group is addressing the issue of residential care for older people. This group will be reporting to the Tánaiste and to the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, shortly.

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