Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 246: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will complete the answer to Parliamentary Question No. 256 of 28 November 2006; if she will give an undertaking that the medical and accommodation facilities already existing on the site of St. Luke's Hospital, Dublin 6 will be retained and developed for other medical and health purposes, such as step down facilities for patients in acute hospitals or similar support services to existing overcrowded hospitals when the existing services in St. Luke's are transferred to the new facility at St. James Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42294/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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As I indicated in response to a question from the Deputy on 28 November last, the decision to transfer St. Luke's Hospital to St. James's Hospital, Dublin was taken by the Government as part of the National Plan for Radiation Oncology. The decision was taken in the best interests of cancer patients and is based on expert medical, scientific and management advice. It is designed to ensure that radiation oncology is available on site with all other aspects of cancer care, including surgery and medical oncology. It is in line with best international practice. This is the model that exists at Cork University Hospital and University College Hospital Galway and which is being developed at Beaumont and St. James's Hospitals, Dublin. A transfer on similar lines took place earlier this year in Northern Ireland when radiation oncology services transferred from a stand alone facility to Belfast City Hospital, which is a major academic teaching hospital.

My Department is working closely with the HSE and the National Development Finance Agency to progress the delivery of the Plan. The Agency has assembled a team to progress the financial and procurement aspects of the Plan, to be provided mostly by PPP. The HSE has appointed a Project Manager and support team. The Clinical Output Specifications are being finalised and technical advisors will be appointed shortly to advise on the construction and other technical aspects of the project. Pending the full roll-out of the Plan, six new linear accelerators will be provided by traditional procurement in the Eastern Region. I am pleased to say that two of these will be provided at St. Luke's Hospital Dublin in late 2007. In addition two each will be provided in St. James's and Beaumont Hospitals by early 2009.

The Government and I are anxious to build on the expertise and ethos of St. Luke's Hospital. It is held in great affection by the Irish people. Many thousands of Irish patients and their families from every part of the country have experienced high quality cancer care at St. Luke's Hospital. The Board of St. Luke's Hospital and its Executive Management Team are fully committed to supporting the Government's decision. In preparation for the transfer of services to St. James's Hospital, discussions have commenced between the Boards of both Hospitals, with the twin goals of ensuring continuity of expertise and ethos in the care of cancer patients and the effective integration of multi-disciplinary patient care at the one site. I am confident the transition will be managed with great sensitivity and skill by the two hospital Boards to achieve those objectives.

No decision has yet been taken on the future use of the site and facilities at St. Luke's Hospital. However my objective is to ensure that these resources are utilised in the best interests of the health services. I will discuss this issue in due course with the Health Service Executive and the Hospital Board.