Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has monitored the amount of the €4.78 million allocated to cystic fibrosis services in 2006 which have been spent to date in 2009; if her Department is working with the Health Service Executive on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41356/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The provision of services for people with cystic fibrosis is monitored closely by my Department. In 2006 additional revenue funding of €4.78 million was provided to the Health Service Executive (HSE) to develop services. I understand from the Executive that amongst other service developments this funding facilitated the recruitment of some 46 additional staff including consultants, nursing and allied health professionals across a number of hospitals.

The HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the amount of revenue funding spent to date in 2009. In addition to revenue funding, under the HSE capital programme, a new ward block to replace existing accommodation is being developed at St Vincent's University Hospital, the national tertiary centre for the treatment of adult patients with cystic fibrosis. This facility will provide single room en-suite in-patient accommodation (100 rooms) and a dedicated day unit for people with CF, including 10 single day treatment rooms with en-suite sanitary facilities. Site clearance work has already commenced. It is intended that the building will be operational as early as possible in 2011.