Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 84 and 86 together.
The series of cancer initiatives which I announced last week are aimed at bringing about important improvements to services relating to cancer throughout the country. The National Cancer Strategy contains plans for reorganising cancer treatment services, targeting resources to screening programmes of proven value and developing specialist palliative care. All areas of the country, including the north-west region, will benefit over the coming years from the plans that I have announced.
The services will concentrate on the needs of patients, with particular regard to the most sensitive and responsive arrangements for diagnosis and treatment of cancer. My plans include the development of specialist oncology services outside the Dublin area so that patients should not have to travel the lengthy distances experienced in some cases at present. I also intend to develop specialist palliative care services on a phased basis and to strengthen haematology and histopathology services.
I announced the establishment of a targeted national programme of screening for cervical cancer and gave details of progress made on the development of a targeted national programme of screening for breast cancer. In addition I published a set of guidelines drawn up by experts on the safe administration of chemotherapy.