Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 214: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to significantly invest in diagnostic equipment and facilities for cancer patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18332/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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A capital sum in excess of €500m has been provided for the implementation of the National Plan for Radiation Oncology, through a mix of traditional procurement and Public Private Partnership.

The implementation of the National Cancer Control Programme is a key priority for Government. 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.

Rapid developments are taking place in the field of Health Technology particularly in relation to diagnostic imaging which provides a better biological and molecular understanding of diseases including cancers. The HSE allocates capital funding targeted at providing new equipment such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanners and additional MRI and CT scanners as identified by need assessments. In addition, capital funding is also provided to upgrade and replace diagnostic equipment such as MRI, CT scanners, radiology equipment etc. I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy with further details relating to individual capital projects.

In relation to the BreastCheck breast screening programme, an additional €26.7 million capital funding was provided for the construction of the two new clinical static units, eight additional mobile units and the provision of state of the art digital equipment. There are now 4 static units, 2 in Dublin, with the others in Galway and Cork.

A key part of the National Cancer Control Programme is the National Radiation Oncology Project, which consists of: four large centres at St James's Hospital and Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, Cork University Hospital and Galway University Hospital and two integrated satellite centres in Waterford and Limerick to be managed by the Cork and Galway Hospitals respectively.