Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if he will provide funding to an organisation (details supplied) in County Wicklow to help fund the volunteer to drive scheme which it has recently set up to bring patients from its area to St. Luke's Hospital, Dublin for treatment in view of the fact that this organisation receives no official funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8692/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Under the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), cancer surgery and diagnosis are undergoing a process of consolidation into eight centres (and one satellite centre) while radiation oncology services are provided in a limited number of centres. Consequently, patients may need to travel for treatment. There are a number of systems of support in place for these patients through the Community Welfare Office services and the NCCP's Travel2Care scheme, while the Health Service Executive (HSE) is currently reviewing its policy in relation to eligibility for non-ambulance based patient transport services in order that a consistent policy is adopted nationally for these services.