Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a matter (details supplied). [43030/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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In 2006 and 2007, additional revenue funding of €6.78 million (€4.78m in 2006, €2m in 2007) was provided to the Health Service Executive (HSE) to develop services for people with cystic fibrosis. The Department is advised that 44 additional staff dealing with cystic fibrosis have been appointed to date across a number of hospitals, including St Vincent's, Beaumont, Temple Street, Crumlin, Tallaght, Cork University Hospital, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. The necessary funding was provided 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 been completed at the hospital and have improved services. These include a new ambulatory care centre, the refurbishment of St Camillus Ward and a new Accident and Emergency Department which includes single room accommodation. The hospital has also introduced a Home Treatment programme for cystic fibrosis patients which has enabled up to 60% of patients to receive certain aspects of their treatment at home.

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 patients with cystic fibrosis and will include appropriate isolation facilities. In the interim, the refurbishment of accommodation to provide eight single en-suite rooms for patients with cystic fibrosis has been completed and these beds are now operational.