Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health the current provision of therapeutic apheresis services here; the role of the Irish Blood Transfusion Services in the delivery of same; if these services will continue to be provided by the IBTS in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57634/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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A number of hospitals provide a Therapeutic Apheresis Service and the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) provides an outreach service to a number of hospitals in Dublin and Cork. However, due to its inability to recruit or retain sufficient numbers of staff to meet service demands, the IBTS has informed the HSE that it will cease to provide this service in Dublin from 31 December 2012. All affected hospitals have also been informed and plans are underway in these hospitals for alternative provision of the service.