Vol. 483 No. 2
88 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will approve an application for additional funding for the dialysis unit at Waterford Regional Hospital, which currently has nine people on its waiting list, to ensure that local patients will be catered for and will not have to travel to Dublin for treatment in view of the needs of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford. [19792/97]
The provision of renal dialysis at Waterford regional hospital is a matter for the South-Eastern Health Board in the first instance. I understand from the board that the person in question was placed on the waiting list for renal dialysis in October 1997. The new dialysis unit opened in March 1997 catering for 32 patients per week. In May 1997 additional funding of £100,000 was provided by my Department to enable the hospital to provide dialysis for patients that were on the waiting list at that time. The unit is working at full capacity with a total attendance of 42 patients per week. I understand the board is currently reviewing the position.
