Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 394: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the new centre of excellence for the provision of cancer services will open at St. James's Hospital, Dublin; the number of cancer beds that will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12679/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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As the issue raised by the Deputy relates to the delivery of health services, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to him.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 395: To ask the Minister for Health and Children his plans for St. Luke's Hospital, Rathgar Dublin; the way it shall continue to play a role in the provision of cancer services following the implementation of the cancer strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12680/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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St Luke's Hospital, which provides radiation oncology services, was subsumed into the Health Service Executive under the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2010 (No. 18 of 2010). The existing radiotherapy centre at St Luke's, plus two 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 development of the St Luke's Network means an overall increase of 50% in radiation oncology capacity over what had previously been available in St Luke's.

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.

In relation to the future use of the St Luke's site I can confirm that the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2010 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.