Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Health the amount spent in 2012 in providing transport for patients travelling from Kerry to Corks Hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6218/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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In general, people with outpatient and hospital appointments are expected to make their own travel arrangements, using private or scheduled public transport. The exceptions are for dialysis, cancer (radiotherapy and chemotherapy) and post-operative transplant patients, where transport may be provided. In these cases, the patient's appointment or treatment should be directly related to the condition. Transport may also be provided where, in the clinician's view, the patient would be unable to make the journey without clinical assistance or where the patient must be transported on a stretcher.

In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.