Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 211: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason two separate medical departments in a hospice centre (details supplied) are being closed with immediate effect until January 2009; if contingency plans will be made to halt the closure of these two units; and if failing that she will give her assurances that the two departments in question will be reopened in accordance with the information supplied by her Department. [40684/08]

Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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This issue was addressed by my colleague Deputy Wallace in an adjournment debate on the 5th November when it was indicated that the HSE were working closely with the Hospice to ensure that, not withstanding existing budgetary pressures overall at the Hospice, the infusion treatment currently being provided for rheumatology patients at Harold's Cross will continue to be provided.

As the Deputy will be aware, operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issues raised at this time 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.