Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 241: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to locate a satellite radiation oncology unit in Sligo; and if this unit will be in place by 2011. [31646/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The national radiation oncology plan, which I announced last July, provides for an integrated network of radiation oncology services that will ensure equitable access for patients throughout the country. Patients in the north west, including Sligo, are being referred for radiation oncology treatment to the recently commissioned radiation oncology department at University College Hospital Galway and to St. Luke's Hospital in Dublin. The new radiation oncology centre, which is being provided at Beaumont Hospital on the north side of Dublin city as part of the national radiation oncology services network, will cater for the needs of patients in the north-west, including Sligo. The precise patient referral pattern, which will be a matter for the Health Service Executive, will be factored into the planning of the national network.

The Government is considering the option of facilitating access for patients in the north-west, mainly County Donegal, to radiation oncology services as part of North-South co-operation on cancer. I have met the Minister for Health for Northern Ireland, Mr. Shaun Woodward MP, to discuss access by patients mainly in the north-west to radiation oncology services in Belfast City Hospital. A state-of-the-art facility is scheduled to open in Belfast in March 2006. I will meet the Northern Ireland Minister, Mr. Woodward, again to make further progress on the Government's position on radiation oncology. Officials from the Department of Health and Children will soon meet officials from the Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 242: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated with a lift; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31647/05]

Seán 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 of Health and Children has asked the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have the matter investigated and for a reply to issue directly to the Deputy.