Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 231: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20751/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 232: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will report on the findings of a Health Service Executive working group set up approximately two years ago (details supplied) to inquire into services for cystic fibrosis patients; if the group has reported; the action taken as a result of the report; if the report has not been completed, when it will it be completed; if she or the HSE will publish the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20752/08]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 233: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will pursue cross-Border co-operation with Royal Group of Hospitals for cystic fibrosis patients (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20754/08]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 234: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will report on the recommendations in the Pollack report for an outreach clinic in Sligo for cystic fibrosis patients from the north west; if she or the Health Service Executive have plans to establish such a clinic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20756/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 232 to 234, inclusive, together.

Following publication of the Pollock Report in 2005, the Health Service Executive established a Working Group to undertake a detailed review of cystic fibrosis services. The Group, which was multi-disciplinary in its composition, was asked to review the current configuration and delivery of services to persons with cystic fibrosis in Ireland. The Group identified a range of service improvements required for persons with Cystic Fibrosis, including the need to increase the level of clinical, nursing and allied health professional staffing in Cystic Fibrosis units around the country.

Arising from the Pollock Report and the emerging recommendations of the Working Group, I identified the development of cystic fibrosis services as a policy priority in the Estimates process. In 2006 and 2007, additional revenue funding of €6.78 million was provided to the Health Service Executive (HSE) to develop services.

My Department is advised by the HSE that 44 additional staff dealing with cystic fibrosis were recruited on foot of this additional funding and that the necessary funding is available to facilitate the recruitment of a further 37 staff nationally. The HSE was asked to place a particular focus on the development of services at the National Adult Tertiary Referral Centre at St. Vincent's Hospital. A number of capital projects have recently been completed at the hospital and have helped to improve facilities.

However, it is accepted that these developments do not fully address the immediate needs of patients. The HSE has been working intensively with the Hospital and with representatives of the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland to progress options for further interim improvements.

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.

Beaumont Hospital operates as a regional centre in providing services to adults with cystic fibrosis. In the 2008 Budget, a special allocation of €2.5m capital funding was provided to enable Beaumont Hospital to provide out patient facilities for cystic fibrosis patients.

I understand that the Report of the Health Service Executive Working Group on Cystic Fibrosis will include a recommendation that cross border arrangements should be facilitated if this provides closer access to specialist care and is the preference for the person with cystic fibrosis. The requirement for such an arrangement will need to be considered by the HSE in the context of the implementation of the Working Group recommendations.

From my perspective I am supportive of collaborative arrangements between our respective health authorities which reduce the distance patients have to travel and which have the potential to match or improve health outcomes.

My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the other issues raised, including the provision of services in the North West and the publication of the Working Group.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 235: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when she will introduce neonatal screening for cystic fibrosis as better outcomes result for children diagnosed early; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20757/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Service Executive National Service Plan for 2008 includes provision for the implementation of a plan for screening newborns for cystic fibrosis and commencement of screening by the end of 2008. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to respond more fully to the Deputy on the matter.