Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when treatment for angina is expected to be offered to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3337/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the location of the most eminent, advanced or internationally recognised centre of excellence, hospital or research centre for the treatment of Crohn's disease; the extent to which sufferers of the disease here can gain access to such treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3338/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Sufferers from Crohn's disease have access to modern, up-to-date and effective treatments for their condition in a range of publicly funded acute hospitals around this country. These services are provided by appropriately trained specialists supported by a range of other relevant professionals and patients are referred by their general practitioners.

When a patient requires referral abroad to an institution for a service or an element of a service not available in Ireland, this is done in accordance with a well recognised procedure, administered by the Health Service Executive. It is initiated by a decision of the treating consultant and the institution to which the patient is recommended for transfer is a matter for the treating consultant based on his/her knowledge and judgement.

It would not, therefore, be appropriate to identify any particular institution in another country as being superior to others in respect of the treatment of this condition. It would be entirely a matter for decision between patient and doctor if and when the need might arise.