Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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512. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the standard of care for sarcoma patients will not decline at St. Vincent's University Hospital due to the possible departure of the only specialised sarcoma chemotherapy oncologist here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20743/16]

Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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529. To ask the Minister for Health the timeline of the appointment of a permanent consultant medical oncologist with special interest in the area of sarcoma at St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin 4, following the commitment given that consideration is being given to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20812/16]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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577. To ask the Minister for Health if St. Vincent's hospital in Dublin 4 applied for additional funding for a dedicated sarcoma specialist doctor over the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21142/16]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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584. To ask the Minister for Health the name of the person who is the national clinical lead in soft tissue sarcomas; if the Health Service Executive has informed relevant cancer patients of this new appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21158/16]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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585. To ask the Minister for Health when a decision on whether a new post for a sarcoma specialist in St. Vincent's hospital will be decided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21159/16]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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603. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to extend the contract of a person (details supplied); if he will ensure that a permanent position is offered to this person based on expertise in treating sarcoma cancer; if he is aware of the concern of patients at the loss of this person and their desire to have them made permanent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21222/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 99, 512, 529, 577, 584, 585 and 603 together.

I met with members of the Sarcoma Action Group last Wednesday and discussed sarcoma services with them.

The recruitment of a consultant medical oncologist with a special interest in sarcoma, based in St. Vincent’s University Hospital, will be prioritised to facilitate further development of the service there. The Director General of the HSE has directed that work on the open recruitment process is to begin immediately.

Meanwhile, arrangements are being made to facilitate any current patient of the Locum Consultant to continue to be treated by her in respect of their medical oncology needs.

It is intended to increase, in line with available resources, the number of consultant medical oncologists working in the eight designated cancer centres to meet demand. Patients diagnosed with sarcoma are seen at one of the two multidisciplinary teams in St Vincent's University Hospital and Cork University Hospital. Both of these hospitals are designated cancer centres and have an extensive range of multidisciplinary services and expert clinical advice available to them across surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology and pathology.

Dr Charles Gilham is the National Clinical Lead in Soft Tissue Sarcomas and he provides advice to the National Cancer Control Programme in relation to the development of services nationally.

My Department is currently developing a National Cancer Strategy 2016 - 2025 that will focus on prevention, early diagnosis and further improvements in treatment and patient care. This Strategy will be published in the coming months.