Written answers

Thursday, 13 April 2017

Department of Health

Cancer Services Funding

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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230. To ask the Minister for Health the amount provided under the capital plan for new cancer research departments at Cork University Hospital, including five linear accelerators; the amount spent to date; the expected completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18774/17]

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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231. To ask the Minister for Health the amount provided under the capital plan for new cancer research departments at University Hospital Galway, including four linear accelerators; the amount spent to date; the expected completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18775/17]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 230 and 231 together.

The provision of new facilities, or other non-capital initiatives, to enhance cancer services nationally is central to modernising cancer care and ensuring that all patients who require cancer treatment in Ireland receive high quality care. There is an on-going need to develop radiation oncology facilities in line with the National Plan for Radiation Oncology. This will include new facilities in both Cork and Galway, including the provision of one extra linear accelerator in each hospital.

Work on the new radiation oncology facility at Cork University Hospital is underway. Assuming that there are no construction related issues encountered it is currently projected that the new facility could be fully operational by the end of 2019. As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of health care projects, the Executive has been requested to reply to you in relation to expenditure to date and the projected expenditure to complete the project.

Planning permission has been granted in respect of the facility at University Hospital Galway. Construction of the project must await the completion of the replacement acute mental health service department which is currently underway, as the NPRO project will be constructed on the site of the existing mental health building. Enabling works including the construction of the replacement mental health building are on-going. Again, assuming that there are no construction related issues encountered it is currently projected that the new facility could be fully operational by mid-2021. At this time the tendering process has not been completed or contracts signed and for reasons of commercial sensitivity it is not considered appropriate to disclose the estimated funding required to complete this project. As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of health care projects, the Executive has been requested to reply to you in relation to expenditure incurred to date on this project.

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