Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 127: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the plans of the Parkinson's Disease Association in the mid-west region to develop a rehab unit including a hydrotherapy pool at St. Camillus's Hospital in Limerick; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that this association has a commitment of significant private funds for this project; if the proposal will be examined with a view to providing the balance of the capital required and make a commitment that the Health Service Executive will fund the ongoing running costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35868/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 128: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in relation to cancer patients, her attention has been drawn to the fact that the survival rate at the five year mark is halved where there is a delay of eight weeks or more from prescription to provision of radiotherapy and chemotherapy; if her attention has further been drawn to fact that without dedicated transport facilities, it is not feasible for some patients to access critical cancer treatments entailing multiple, and sometimes daily, journeys to far distant treatment centres; the specific measures which have been put in place since the publication of the Hollywood report in 2003 to improve transport facilities for patients who must travel far distances to access critical cancer treatment; the status of the innovative transport initiative promised on publication of the Hollywood report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35869/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There is a significant responsibility on our health services to ensure that patients, particularly cancer patients, are adequately supported clinically and, where necessary, in relation to proper transport arrangements. As I have previously indicated to the House, I consider that appropriate transport arrangements for oncology patients should be made available, where necessary, by the Health Service Executive, HSE. My Department has raised this matter with the HSE to ensure that appropriate transport arrangements are put in place on a national basis for patients who are required to travel. Transport solutions are already a feature of the current provision of oncology services. My Department has asked the HSE to advise the Deputy directly in relation to current and proposed transport arrangements for oncology patients nationally.