Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 207: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of people currently on the waiting list for double lung transplant; the number of double lung transplants carried out here in each of the past five years; the number of patients on the waiting list for double lung transplant who died while on the waiting list in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27840/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply

Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 208: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will outline the services that currently exist for cystic fibrosis patients; the plans that currently exist to establish new cystic fibrosis units; where such units will be located; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27841/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I have consistently emphasised the need to improve facilities and services to persons with cystic fibrosis. 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 multidisciplinary in its composition and included representation from the Department of Health and Children, was asked to review the current configuration and delivery of services to persons with cystic fibrosis in Ireland. The report was published in October 2009.

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. Additional funding of €1.6m has been provided to St. Vincent's to enable the recruitment of additional staff across the full range of disciplines for the specialist treatment of cystic fibrosis. A number of capital projects have been completed at the hospital and have helped to improve facilities. 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 refurbishment of accommodation to provide eight single en-suite rooms for patients with cystic fibrosis was completed in August 2008 and the beds are now operational. This brings the total level of in-patient accommodation for the treatment of respiratory patients (including people with CF) at the hospital to 63 beds.

A new ward block to replace existing accommodation is being developed at the hospital. This facility will provide single room en-suite inpatient accommodation (100 rooms) and a dedicated day unit for people with CF, including 10 single day treatment rooms with en-suite sanitary facilities. Tenders for this development are currently under consideration. It is estimated that the construction, equipping and commissioning of this block will take approximately 18 months.

The hospital currently treats over 50% of the CF adult population. The HSE is now working with St. Vincent's to identify opportunities for patients who do not require tertiary level care to be treated close to home where adult services have been developed in the other specialist centres. Capital funding has been provided for the development of outpatient facilities for patients with CF treated at Beaumont Hospital. HSE funding enabled the construction of a three storey building consisting of two floors each of 14 single rooms, and 8 bed HDU and two additional ICU rooms (within existing ICU). The project is in two phases and the first phase (decanting) was completed at the end of 2009 and the second phase is currently underway.

Services for patients with cystic fibrosis are also provided at Our Lady's Hospital, Crumlin, Children's University Hospital, Temple Street, Tallaght Hospital, Cork University Hospital, Waterford Regional Hospital, Mid Western Regional Hospital, Limerick, University College Hospital Galway and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. Additional funding provided to all of these hospitals has enabled the recruitment of additional staff for the specialist treatment of patients with cystic fibrosis.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 209: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the amount awarded by the Health Service Executive in respect of clinics (details supplied) in Dublin 24 under the primary care reimbursement service for 2007, 2008 and 2009; and the number of medical card holders registered at each of those clinics in the respective years. [27849/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.