Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the proposed management and funding structure for the new cancer unit at St. James's Hospital, Dublin. [30913/10]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the proposed management and funding structure for the new centres of excellence providing radiation oncology services, including their relationship with the hospitals in which they will be based; if they will be funded and managed separately from the host hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30914/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 146 together.

The National Plan for Radiation Oncology (NPRO) was approved by Government in 2005. Phase 1 of the NPRO involves the development of new radiation oncology facilities with 4 linear accelerators on the sites of both St James's and Beaumont Hospitals. The facilities will be under the governance of the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), rather than the respective host hospitals, as radiation oncology is an integral part of cancer care. It is clear from the Hollywood Report on the Development of Radiation Oncology Services in Ireland that best outcomes are achieved by closely co-ordinating radiation, surgical and medical oncology and palliative care services. A sum of €4million in revenue costs and 54 WTEs have been assigned by the NCCP towards the running and staffing of the new centres in 2010.