Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 635: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress which has been made to provide designated funding and designated transport to ensure equality of access to radiotherapy treatment for all cancer patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28489/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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My Department is working closely with the Health Service Executive (HSE) in implementing the national plan for the development of radiation oncology services agreed by Government in July 2005. The Vote for the HSE in 2006 includes the sum of €9 million to continue to meet the additional service pressures in cancer care, improve the quality of care and facilitate better access to radiation oncology services including the transportation of patients for treatment.

The HSE has in place several options for the transportation of patients who require radiotherapy and other oncology services including the use of designated oncology transport vehicles and transport by air. These services and their development relate to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to provide relevant details to the Deputy.