Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 204: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her Department has the means to provide financial assistance to persons seeking to attend for hospital appointments where no public transport or ambulance service is available and the person or persons have to hire taxis to attend; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23705/06]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 205: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the proposals her Department has to address the shortfall of ambulance services for persons who due to financial means have no other transport available to them or their loved ones, who are in need of hospital services, clinics and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23706/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 204 and 205 together.

The Deputy's question 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 arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

My Department is advised by the executive that it intends to conduct a comprehensive review of patient transport arrangements as an element of its 2006 service plan. It is envisaged that this review will examine the service currently delivered nationally and make recommendations for its future development.