Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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938. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the HSE has neglected to offer paediatric heart transplant services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19700/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Irish paediatric patients travel to the UK for heart, liver and lung transplants, while kidney transplants are carried out in the Children's University Hospital, Temple Street. In the case of paediatric heart transplants, only around 5 to 6 cases arise in Ireland each year and the current policy reflects this low level of activity.

The possibility of heart transplants for paediatric patients being undertaken at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin has been raised recently. This suggestion has not been considered in detail at this time. If any change was to be pursued, it would take a considerable time to implement.