Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 99: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will meet with a group (details supplied) to discuss an issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43479/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government decided in July 2005 that the best option for improving geographic access for patients in the North West to radiation oncology services in the short term was to facilitate access to Belfast City Hospital and accordingly, a Service Level Agreement is in place for the referral of radiation oncology patients from Donegal to BCH. This is in addition to the services available at St Luke's Hospital, Dublin and at University Hospital Galway.

The Government also decided in 2005 to explore the scope in the medium term for developing a joint venture based on a satellite centre in the North West linked to Belfast City Hospital. In April 2008, Minister McGimpsey of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSS&PS), Northern Ireland announced the provision of a satellite centre (linked to Belfast City Hospital) to be located in Altnagelvin. It will provide the additional radiotherapy capacity needed to meet an anticipated increase in cancer in Northern Ireland. It also recognises the potential for cross border co-operation in the development of this resource. I welcomed the announcement by Minister McGimpsey and officials from my Department and their counterparts in Northern Ireland continue to hold discussions in this regard. Following discussions at the North-South Ministerial Council with Minister McGimpsey, I understand that the facility is now expected to be operational by 2016.

My Department and the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme have nominated representatives to the Cross Border Sub Group, the Project Board and the Service Design and Workforce Planning Subgroup for the development. I have committed to providing a capital contribution to the development, in recognition of the fact that approximately one third of the patients who will attend the Altnagelvin Centre will be from Donegal and the surrounding areas. In addition, the Health Service Executive's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) will contribute on an agreed basis to the operating costs in respect of patients from the Republic of Ireland who attend this service. It remains the position that the Business Case for the development has now been finalised and is under consideration by Minister McGimpsey.

I met with the group referred to by the Deputy last year during which a number of issues were discussed, including the development at Altnagelvin. My Department has also been in correspondence with them within the past year. I have recently received a further request to meet the group and am currently considering it in the context of my other commitments during the coming weeks.

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 100: To ask the Minister for Health and Children in the context of the Health Service Executive west's rationalisation of acute hospital services and other service reconfigurations, if she will rule out the closure of Roscommon hospital and the transfer of beds to another site as part of those plans [43488/10]

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 101: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the specific proposals relayed from the Health Service Executive to her regarding the rationalisation of acute hospital services and other service reconfigurations in the HSE west region. [43489/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 101 together.

As these are service matters, they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 102: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan can expect to get their MRI scan which was first arranged for January 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43499/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.