Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 246: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the terms of reference of Professor Tom Keane include the provision of palliative care across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14403/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The 'Strategy for Cancer Control, 2006' makes recommendations in relation to organisation, governance, quality assurance and accreditation across the continuum of cancer care from prevention and health promotion through to treatment services, palliative care and research. Prof Tom Keane was appointed on an interim basis for two years to lead and manage the HSE National Cancer Control Programme. Prof Keane's role is to establish the Programme and set out its priorities. This includes the establishment of four managed cancer control networks. Through these networks the integration of palliative care with other aspects of the programme will be ensured. Under the Programme for Government, the Government has committed to removing the regional disparities in the provision and funding of palliative care, and to ensuring that the needs of all those who require palliative care are met.

The HSE is continuing to work on implementing the Report of the National Advisory Committee on Palliative Care (2001) and is now developing a five year implementation framework, in consultation with the Irish Association for Palliative Care, the Irish Hospice Foundation and the Irish Cancer Society. Work is ongoing on the development of this plan and good progress has been made to-date. Since 2006 additional funding totalling €21m was provided by the Government. This allowed for enhanced service provision covering for example, multi-disciplinary teams; specialist palliative care beds; home care; day care; acute palliative care services, etc. Particular emphasis is being placed by the HSE on addressing parts of the country where services need most improvement.