Vol. 481 No. 3
69 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself with the provision of MRI scan facilities in the State; and if he will give details of the waiting lists in respect of this procedure. [15920/97]
As the Deputy will be aware there are at present five MRI scanners in Ireland. Of the four MRI scanners in Dublin only the public MRI scanner currently in service is located at Beaumont Hospital. The fifth MRI scanner is located at Cork University Hospital, although privately owned.
The Department has been aware for some time of the need to carry out an overall assessment of MRI scanning facilities in the public hospital service. Accordingly, an expert study of the existing arrangements for the provision of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) facilities nationwide and likely future demand in this area was carried out by Professor David Banta, MD, MPH, an international expert in health technology assessment. Professor Banta identified the need to develop MRI facilities at University College Hospital, Galway, St. James's Hospital and the new Tallaght Hospital, with the Galway location as the top priority. A timescale of three years is envisaged for the programme of enhancement for MRI facilities at the three sites. Professsor Banta's recommendations have been adopted by the Department.
