John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 256: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the amount which was allocated from her Department to the Health Service Executive south east towards a designated transport system for cancer patients who have to travel from the south east to other centres; if a report was presented by the group appointed by her Department to assess the needs in this area as to the type of specialised transport solutions required if that report will be actioned; if there is a designated oncology ward at Waterford Regional Hospital; if so, if that ward is capable of dealing with the number of patients involved; if home care packages for the terminally ill in the south east are being funded by her Department and the Health Service Executive; when a comprehensive cancer treatment service will be provided in the south east; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5064/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The national service plan 2006 of the Health Service Executive provides a commitment to develop proposals to support patients who have to travel long distances to access specialist services, with particular focus in 2006 on those travelling for radiotherapy treatment. I approved this plan in December and it was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas earlier this month. I made available an additional €9 million to the executive for developments in cancer services in 2006, inter alia, to facilitate better access to radiation oncology services, including dedicated transport arrangements. The Deputy's question also 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, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.