Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 73: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she intends to establish an oncology ward in regional hospitals where radiotherapy services are inadequate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15518/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Last July I announced the Government's plan for a national network of radiation oncology services to be put in place by 2011, commencing in 2008. The network will consist of four large centres in Dublin, Cork and Galway and two integrated satellite centres at Waterford Regional Hospital and Limerick Regional Hospital. The Health Service Executive in association with the National Development Finance Agency and my Department is currently developing the output specifications for the delivery of substantial additional capacity through a public private partnership.

I am determined to continue to build on the substantial developments and increased capacity in cancer care so that we have a world class service available and accessible to patients in each region in the country. I have received a Strategy for Cancer Control in Ireland from the National Cancer Forum. The strategy makes recommendations in relation to organisation, governance, quality assurance and accreditation across the continuum of cancer care from prevention and health promotion through to treatment services, palliative care and research. There is a strong emphasis in the strategy on health promotion, addressing inequalities and quality assurance. My Department is currently examining the strategy with a view to bringing proposals to Government shortly. I will publish the strategy shortly thereafter.

The issue of the establishment of oncology wards 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 respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the matter raised.