Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 96: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the efforts she is making to improve specialist health services in the south east; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15497/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Responsibility for improvements in specialist health services in the former south-eastern Health Board area now rests with the Health Service Executive. The executive has advised that several capital developments have been progressed in recent years to facilitate the improvement of health services in the area. Principal among these are the major capital developments at South Tipperary General Hospitals in Clonmel and Cashel and the construction of an additional 19 acute beds at Wexford General Hospital. Work is also being carried out at Wexford General Hospital on the accident and emergency and outpatient departments. Plans are advancing for the provision of a new outpatient department at St. Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny.

In addition, several service developments are also been progressed which will significantly improve the range of services available within the area. These include the joint appointment of a consultant radiation oncologist between Waterford Regional Hospital and Cork University Hospital, the development of a regional neurology service linking both sites, expansion of the regional haematology and nephrology services and the development of a stroke unit at St. Luke's Hospital. Plans are being developed within a national framework for the provision of radiotherapy services for the area based in Waterford Regional Hospital.

I am satisfied that the above capital and service developments will expand the range hospital services available to residents in the area.