Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the opinion of the Chief Executive Officer of the Health Service Executive, as well as that of her Department's Hospital Planning Office and the National Development Finance Agency, the proposed radiotherapy network will not be delivered through PPP by the target date of 2011; if it will be delivered by this time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30004/07]

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. The HSE will shortly appoint a National Director of Radiation Oncology to report to the National Cancer Control Director.

My Department and the HSE have been working closely to expedite the delivery of the National Plan for Radiation Oncology. The HSE has confirmed that it will have in place radiation oncology capacity to meet the needs of the population by 2010. After 2010 the HSE will continue to increase capacity to ensure that these needs continue to be met. I am fully confident that this will be achieved through a combination of direct Exchequer provision, PPP and where appropriate, the use of the private sector.