Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the phasing out and closure of St. Luke's Cancer Hospital, Dublin, is one of the projects he has put on hold pending review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8058/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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St. Luke's Hospital, which provides only radiation oncology services, was subsumed into the Health Service Executive under the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2010 (No. 18 of 2010). Radiation oncology services will continue at St. Luke's until at least 2015, when further radiation oncology capacity will be available at Beaumont and St. James's. This decision is based on expert advice and is designed to ensure that radiation oncology is integrated with all other aspects of cancer care, including surgery and medical oncology. It is also in line with best international practice.

The existing radiotherapy centre at St. Luke's, plus the new centres at Beaumont and St. James's Hospitals, have together become the St. Luke's Radiation Oncology Network with some staff and resources now transferred from St. Luke's to the new centres. The first patients were seen at Beaumont on 28 March, while St. James's is due to begin seeing patients this month.

In relation to the future use of the St. Luke's site I can confirm that the legislation provides for the future use of the site as a health facility and states that the HSE may not sell or dispose of St. Luke's or any land on the site without my consent.