Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 202: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm receipt of information from a Deputy (details supplied) on 17 December 2007, that she received a reminder regarding the matter on 11 January 2008 and a further reminder on 28 January 2008; if she will further confirm that an official in her office spoke to the Deputy concerned on 28 January 2008; if she received a further reminder regarding the matter on 13 February 2008 and a further reminder on 26 February 2008 without confirmation of the validity or otherwise of the article concerned; the position regarding this matter and in particular the reason it has not been possible to respond to queries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10130/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I confirm receipt of information from Deputy Kenny, and can confirm that an acknowledgement issued from my Private Office on the 11 January 2008, and that further correspondence also issued to the Deputy on 28 January 2008. It is my practice where possible and practicable to facilitate meetings when requested to do so. I would be happy to facilitate a meeting between Deputy Kenny and/or his party's health spokesperson and Professor Keane should he so wish.

The decisions in relation to four managed cancer control networks and eight cancer centres are currently being implemented on a managed and phased basis. The HSE plans to achieve 50% transfer of services to the centres by the end of this year and 90% by the end of 2009. The designation of cancer centres aims to ensure that patients receive the highest quality care while at the same time allowing local access to services, where appropriate. Where diagnosis and treatment planning is directed and managed by multi-disciplinary teams based at the cancer centres, then much of the treatment, other than surgery, can be delivered in local hospitals, such as Mayo General Hospital. Professor Keane has advised me that meetings and discussions are underway with the eight designated centres and with the non-designated hospitals currently providing cancer services, in order to manage the transition.

I note in a statement today from the management of Mayo General Hospital that "the overriding concern of both management and clinicians at Mayo General Hospital has always been to ensure that the women of Mayo receive the best possible care". Management states that the hospital will engage with the National Hospitals Office and the National Cancer Control Programme to actively plan towards the managed transfer of the breast cancer service to the designated Cancer Centre at University Hospital Galway.