Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 308: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 410 of 28 September 2005, the progress which has been made by the working group on cystic fibrosis since November 2005; when the recommendations will be published; and if an implementation plan will be published in conjunction with the recommendations. [3151/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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As part of the overall funding for health services in 2006, additional revenue funding of €4.78 million has been allocated specifically for the development of cystic fibrosis services.

I wish to see significant improvement this year in the level of services available to persons with cystic fibrosis. The current service deficits in this area are widely acknowledged and have been identified most notably in the Pollock report, and by the Health Service Executive working group which is looking at this issue. My Department is advised that the working group is due to report shortly and will be making specific recommendations in relation to a range of service improvements required for persons with cystic fibrosis, in particular the need to increase the level of clinical, nursing and allied health professional staffing in CF units around the country. As part of the implementation process I have asked the HSE to address in particular the identified deficits at the national adult referral centre at St. Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin.

The publication of the working group report is a matter for the HSE and accordingly, my 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.