Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 207: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the provisions being afforded to cystic fibrosis patients; and the plans to improve care for sufferers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4580/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I have identified the enhancement of services to people with cystic fibrosis as a key priority. In 2006 and 2007, additional revenue funding of €6.78 million was provided to the Health Service Executive for cystic fibrosis services. My Department is advised that 44 additional staff dealing with cystic fibrosis have been appointed to date across a number of hospitals, including St Vincent's Hospital, Beaumont Hospital, Temple Street Children's Hospital, Crumlin Hospital, Tallaght Hospital, Cork University Hospital, University College Hospital Galway, the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick and Waterford Regional Hospital. The necessary funding is available to facilitate the recruitment of a further 37 staff throughout the country.

The HSE was asked to place a particular focus on the development of services at the National Tertiary Referral Centre at St. Vincent's Hospital. It has been working intensively with the hospital and with representatives of the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland to progress options for further interim improvements. A number of capital projects have recently been completed at the hospital and have helped to improve facilities. These include a new ambulatory care centre, the refurbishment of St. Camillus' Ward, and a new accident and emergency unit which includes single room accommodation. The HSE is fast-tracking the redevelopment of a ward which is adjacent to the main cystic fibrosis treatment area at St. Vincent's Hospital. The project will commence within the next few weeks and will provide six single rooms. On completion, additional work will begin to provide a further eight single rooms.

This will result in a total of 14 single rooms for cystic fibrosis patients by the end of the summer. In the longer term, a new ward block is to be built and will include 120 replacement beds in single en suite accommodation. The new facility will accommodate cystic fibrosis patients and will include appropriate isolation facilities. Planning permission has been obtained, financial provision has been included in the HSE Capital Plan and the contract is to be awarded by the end of this year. It will be a condition of the contract that the design build period is to be not more than 24 months from the date of contract award. The hospital has also introduced a Home Treatment programme for cystic fibrosis patients which has enabled up to 60% of patients to receive certain aspects of their treatment at home.

Beaumont Hospital operates as a regional centre in providing services to adults with cystic fibrosis. In the 2008 Budget, a special allocation of €2.5 million of capital funding was provided to enable Beaumont Hospital to provide outpatient facilities for cystic fibrosis patients. Under the 1970 Health Act, the Health Service Executive may arrange for the supply, without charge, of drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances to people with a specified condition, for the treatment of that condition, through the Long Term Illness Scheme. The scheme does not cover GP fees or hospital co-payments. Cystic fibrosis is one of the conditions covered by this scheme. Products which are necessary for the management of cystic fibrosis are available to LTI patients. Other products are available according to the patient's eligibility. Non-reimbursed medical expenses above a set annual threshold may be offset against tax.