Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will proceed with closing down St. Luke's Hospital for radiotherapy treatment in Dublin. [35514/06]

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 330: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans and that of the Health Service Executive to transfer the services at St. Luke's Hospital, Rathgar to St. James's Hospital; the reason for this decision; if she will review this policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35185/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 330 together.

The expertise and professional commitment of the staff at St. Luke's Hospital will continue to be an essential element in the development of cancer care. The decision to transfer this resource was taken by the Government in the context of its consideration of the National Plan for Radiation Oncology Services. The decision is based on expert advice and is designed to ensure that radiation oncology, one element of cancer care, is integrated with all other aspects of care, including surgery and medical oncology. This is in line with best international practice. I am convinced that this model will provide better patient centred treatment with improved quality of service and outcome for patients. The Board of St. Luke's Hospital and its Executive Management Team are fully committed to supporting the Government's decision in relation to the development of radiation oncology. A transfer on similar lines took place earlier this year in Northern Ireland when radiation oncology services transferred to Belfast City Hospital, a major academic teaching hospital.

In progressing the transfer, I will build on the expertise and ethos of St. Luke's. I have ensured that experts at St. Luke's are centrally involved in the planning and delivery of the National Plan. The plan consists of large centres in Dublin (at Beaumont and St. James's Hospitals), Cork and Galway and two integrated satellite centres at Waterford Regional Hospital and Limerick Regional Hospital. Medical and scientific experts from the hospital are involved in developing the output specifications for the delivery of new radiation oncology services nationally. The Chief Executive at St. Luke's will lead the management team of the new facility at St. James's. I also appointed the Chairman of St. Luke's to chair a National Radiation Oncology Oversight Group to advise me on progress on the implementation of the plan.

I have approved the provision of two additional linear accelerators at St. Luke's to provide much needed interim capacity pending the roll out of the national plan. I expect these services to commence late next year. Last week I also announced the approval of two radiation oncology facilities at Beaumont and St. James's Hospitals, comprising of two linear accelerators and associated treatment planning at each site, to be delivered in early 2009. These are key elements of the delivery of the National Plan.