James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason the patients in Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown in need of the services of a plastic surgeon are not referred to alternative plastic surgeons in other hospitals when the incumbent half time plastic surgeon is on leave; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28778/07]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Health and Children his views on the practice of admitting patients to Connolly Hospital to a bed in order that they can be transferred to another bed via ambulance to St. James's Hospital for plastic surgery, when the Connolly Hospital plastic surgeon is on leave; her views on whether this practice is a waste of taxpayers' resources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28784/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 119 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 matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.