Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if extra funding has been allocated to the National MRSA Reference Laboratory in response to concerns expressed in 2007 as to its capacity to carry out its functions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2716/08]

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 under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services, including the National MRSA Reference Laboratory which is operated by St. James's Hospital, is provided in its annual vote. The HSE was allocated a total sum of almost €14bn for 2007 and near €15bn for 2008 and it is for the HSE to determine priorities and decide how these funds are used to deliver the best and most efficient public health service. Therefore, the particular question raised by the Deputy in this case is a matter for the HSE and my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.