Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made by Professor Tom Keane on the development of cancer services; if a budget has been determined for 2008 to commence the implementation of his proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2703/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied regarding the availability, adequacy and the reliability of cancer treatment facilities throughout the country; her plans to address such issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2739/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 136: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the extent to which she proposes to improve facilities for cancer sufferers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2969/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 50 and 136 together.

Prof. Tom Keane took up his post as National Cancer Control Director in November 2007. The delivery of cancer services on a programmatic basis will serve to ensure equity of access to services and equality of patient outcome irrespective of geography. This will involve significant realignment of services to move from the present fragmented system of care to one which is consistent with international best practice in cancer control. The decisions of the HSE to designate four managed cancer control networks and eight cancer centres will be implemented on a managed and phased basis. A detailed transitional plan will be put in place to facilitate the progressive, gradual and carefully managed transfer of services over the next two years or so.

Arrangements are in hand to enable Prof. Keane to take control of all new cancer developments and progressively all existing cancer services and related funding and staffing. An additional €35m has been allocated this year for cancer control, including €15m to support the initial implementation of the National Cancer Control Programme and implementation of the National Plan for Radiation Oncology.