Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 259: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a dedicated transport system for cancer patients has been rejected by her; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6866/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The executive has in place several options for the transportation of patients who require radiotherapy and other oncology services, including the use of designated oncology transport vehicles and transport by air. These services and their development relate to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to provide relevant details to the Deputy. I understand that the executive will review the transport needs of all patients, including cancer patients, and the associated resource requirements.

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 last 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.