Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 386: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if an estimated costing for the full implementation of the cancer strategy has been calculated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9559/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The aim of the National Cancer Control Strategy, which was published in June 2006, is to reduce our cancer incidence, morbidity and mortality rates relative to other Member States of the European Union. This Government is committed to investing significantly in the implementation of the Strategy. The Health Service Executive (HSE), at my Department's request, is conducting a national needs assessment for cancer control which will set out priorities in the medium term.

I have made available an additional €20.5m this year for cancer control. This is an increase of 74% on the comparable 2006 investment and includes €3.5m to support the initial implementation of the HSE National Cancer Control Programme. The Programme will manage, organise and deliver cancer control on a whole population basis. It will have a strong emphasis on prevention and early detection, integrated across primary, hospital, supportive and palliative care. The Service Plan of the HSE for this year sets out the detailed deliverables of the Programme. This includes the establishment of the leadership team to implement the Programme, including the Director of the Programme and key medical leaders at network level.

I have allocated an additional €3.25m this year to support the implementation of the National Plan for Radiation Oncology. This will support the appointment of additional Consultant Radiation Oncologists, Specialist Registrars and support staff. The National Cancer Registry has been allocated an additional €0.4m this year and €0.35m has been allocated to the Health Research Board for All-Ireland-NCI Cancer Consortium activities, including a cancer bio-banking initiative and further support for the clinical trials initiative.

Evidence based population based screening programmes are an essential element of the Strategy. I established a National Cancer Screening Service Board on 1 January this year. The total allocation to the new Service is €33m, a 71% increase on the funding available in 2006. This includes €8m which has been allocated this year for the roll out of the national breast-screening programme and €5m to commence the roll out of a national cervical screening programme later this year. The Service will also advise on the implementation of a national colorectal screening programme.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 387: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who has been four years on a waiting list for orthodontic treatment has been informed that they have been put on the five-year waiting list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9565/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are 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 arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.