Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 331: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the amount of money spent on cleaning services for hospitals (details supplied) in the north east area for the years 2002 to 2006; if she will provide the information in tabular readable form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7526/07]

Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 338: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the breakdown between the costs of outside contractors and in-house cleaning services for hospitals (details supplied) in the north east area for the years 2002 to 2006; if she will provide the information in tabular readable form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7558/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 331 and 338 together.

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 issues 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.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 332: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a dexa scanner worth €120,000, donated to Sligo General Hospital by the Irish Osteoporosis Society in April 2005, has been left unused since that time, reportedly due to a dispute over who should operate it; the steps being taken to ensure that the machine will be brought into use in view of the role it could play in reducing pain and suffering among patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7527/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Service Executive has advised that the Dexa Scanner was purchased by a charitable foundation and presented to the hospital. Some issues have arisen regarding the preferred usage of the machine, whether it is to be predominately for research or for frontline clinical work. The HSE is considering a number of options and is confident that a satisfactory outcome will be reached shortly.