Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 342: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to sustain and upgrade cancer service in Letterkenny General Hospital; and the arrangements being made to provide radiotherapy for cancer patients in Donegal and the north west. [6367/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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It is my objective and that of the Health Service Executive (HSE) to see the earliest delivery of the Government's National Plan for Radiation Oncology. I am determined that the HSE will deliver on this Plan in 2011 as originally scheduled. The Board of the HSE is considering how best to procure the radiation oncology facilities and associated equipment, including procurement by PPP, within this timetable. The Executive will make recommendations to me shortly on the earliest delivery of the Plan in the best interests of cancer patients throughout the country.

A Service Level Agreement is now in place for the referral of about 50 radiation oncology patients annually from Donegal to Belfast City Hospital (BCH) and a number of patients have been referred for treatment. It has also been agreed that the number will be increased if there is sufficient demand from patients in Donegal. In November 2006, I met with the Minister for Health for Northern Ireland and we discussed progressing consideration of a satellite centre in the North West linked to BCH. Further discussions will take place at official level involving both Departments.

The provision of cancer services in Letterkenny General Hospital is 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 this matter.