John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 155: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she expects radiotherapy services to be made available at Waterford Regional Hospital; if the Government will provide funding for public patients seeking radiotherapy treatment at a clinic (details supplied) when it is completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27755/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Government's plan is for a national network of radiation oncology services consisting of four large centres in Dublin, Cork and Galway and two integrated satellite centres at Waterford Regional Hospital and Limerick Regional Hospital, conditional on their conformity to certain quality assurance arrangements.

The capital investment involved in providing the national network is estimated at over €400 million, most of which is to be funded through a Public Private Partnership (PPP). There is a significant amount of work to be done in preparation for a PPP. Towards this end, my Department is working closely with the HSE and the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA). The NDFA has assembled a team to progress the financial and procurement aspects and the HSE has appointed a Project Manager to lead on its input. A Clinical Output Specification Group, which includes leading experts in the field, is well advanced in specifying the clinical aspects of the development. Technical advisors will be appointed shortly to advise on the construction and other technical aspects of the project.

The precise planning of the development at Waterford and at the other locations will be addressed when the output specifications have been drawn up as part of the PPP process. The aim is to have the national network in place in 2011. This is an ambitious target but I am determined that the access to radiotherapy services for people in the Waterford area will be enhanced at the earliest possible date.

The Deputy's question in relation to the provision of funding for public patients seeking radiotherapy treatment at a private clinic relates to the management and delivery of health and personal, social services, which are currently 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.

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 156: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of people who have been referred from Waterford Regional Hospital to Dublin and Cork to receive radiotherapy treatment every year from 2000 to 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27756/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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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 respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the matter raised.