Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 24: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on a subcommittee which was set up to look into the feasibility of setting up a third neurological unit in Galway; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this subcommittee was convened in 2001 and 2002 and that to date no report has been produced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21326/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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In 2002, a committee was established by Comhairle na nOspidéal, to review the existing arrangements for the provision of neurosurgical services and consultant staffing nationally, and following consultation with the interests concerned, to make recommendations on the future organisation and development of neurosurgical services. My Department has been informed that the report will be published by the Health Service Executive in the coming weeks.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 25: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the call from the Royal College of Surgeons for an improvement in services for breast cancer patients across the State; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that six years on from the publication of a report on the development of services for symptomatic breast disease here that inequalities of access to high quality, modern standards of care still exist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21324/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Government is fully aware of the impact of breast cancer on women's health and has made the development and improvement of diagnostic and treatment services for breast cancer patients a major priority in the development of cancer services. A national breast screening programme combined with quality assured symptomatic services nationally are key elements of our cancer control programme. Since 2000, more than €60 million has been made available for the development of symptomatic breast disease services. I have invested significantly in BreastCheck to meet its capital and revenue requirements and it is confident that the target date of next year for commencement of screening in the remaining regions of the country will be met.

One of the key issues raised by the Royal College of Surgeons is the fragmentation of surgical care for women with breast cancer. The reality is that a low volume of surgical procedures is being carried out in too many hospitals at present which is not in line with best international practice. I recognise the importance of quality care and adherence to best practice in the provision of quality services for breast cancer patients. Last year I established a National Quality Assurance Group, under the Chairmanship of Professor Niall O'Higgins, President of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. I am aware of the success of the recent stakeholder symposium organised by the Group as part of the process of developing expert guidelines for the management of symptomatic breast disease. It will also be necessary to establish effective mechanisms to ensure that the guidelines are applied in the best interests of patient care.

The National Cancer Forum has recommended in its National Strategy for Cancer Control a national governance and organisation structure including accreditation to improve the quality of cancer care. The Strategy is currently being examined by my Department in conjunction with the HSE. I will bring proposals to Government shortly.