Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 259: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason two dialysis units in the Cork University Hospital are not operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23757/07]

Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 260: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the dialysis services available to patients in the Cork region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23758/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 260 together.

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive 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/issue 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.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 261: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if, in relation to the oncology services that currently exist in a hospital (details supplied) in County Mayo, these services will be removed or altered when the centre of excellence is up and running in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23775/07]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 262: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a hospital (details supplied) in County Mayo will be targeted and lose some of its oncology services once the centre of excellence is up and running in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23776/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 261 and 262 together.

The decisions of the HSE in relation to four managed cancer control networks and eight cancer centres will be implemented on a managed and phased basis. The HSE plans to have completed 50% of the transition to the cancer centres by the end of 2008 and 80-90% by the end of 2009. Discussions between the HSE and the networks will focus on identifying the capacity issues for the eight designated centres so that a detailed transitional plan can be put in place to facilitate the progressive, gradual and carefully managed transfer of services over the course of the next two years or so. No timeframe has been agreed for the cessation of surgery at Mayo General Hospital.

Arising from the designation of cancer centres by the HSE and in order to comply with the National Quality Assurance Standards for Symptomatic Breast Disease, the HSE has directed thirteen hospitals, with very low case volumes, to cease breast cancer services immediately, to be followed by further staged reductions in the number of hospitals providing breast cancer services from twenty-two to the eight cancer centres. A number of the thirteen hospitals had in practice already discontinued symptomatic breast services. The National Hospitals Office has already planned the redirection of this symptomatic caseload. Additional groups of hospitals, including Mayo General Hospital will be similarly directed, in line with the further development of quality assured capacity in the eight designated centres.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 263: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated with surgery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23777/07]

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 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 this case investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.