Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Dec 1997

Vol. 483 No. 6

Written Answers. - Patient Transport.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

287 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children whether health boards are required to assist in the costs involved in bringing children to Dublin for medical treatment unavailable elsewhere where the parents have a medical card; whether sufficient funds are available to the health boards in this regard; if his Department will ensure that support is made available to persons (details supplied) in County Cork whose child suffers from a serious heart condition and who has to attend hospital in Dublin regularly for treatment. [21535/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The provision of transport for patients attending hospitals outside their own area is a matter for each individual health board.

Under the 1970 Health Act, health boards make whatever arrangements are considered necessary for the transport of patients, depending on the circumstances of the person concerned, the resources available to the boards and the many competing demands being made on these resources.

The case referred to by the Deputy is a matter for the Southern Health Board and I have asked the chief executive officer of the board to have this case examined and to reply directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.