Vol. 485 No. 3
214 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children his Department's policy in relation to the provision of transport to hospitals and medical appointments, particularly in relation to older people; if he will bring forward new proposals in this regard; if his attention has been drawn to the Ballincollig transport project; his views on this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23420/97]
The provision of transport for patients attending hospitals is a matter for each individual health board.
Under the 1970 Health Act, health boards make whatever arrangements are considered necessary for providing ambulances or other means of transport for the conveyance 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.
My attention has not been drawn to the Ballincollig transport project. In line with the role of health boards, projects of this nature can best be progressed in conjunction with local health boards.
