Vol. 517 No. 6
286 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department will contribute to the provision of a CAT scanner for St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny; if his attention has been drawn to the extensive funding efforts being undertaken by the friends of St. Luke's; and if immediate financial assistance will be given. [10872/00]
The provision of services in this instance is a matter for the South Eastern Health Board in the first instance. I understand from the South Eastern Health Board that it is working in partnership with the CT scanner appeal for St Luke's Hospital to provide a CT scanner this year. The voluntary appeal will raise part of the cost of the machine itself, with the remaining cost, approximating £250,000, as well as associated building costs amounting to approximately £500,000 to be funded by the health board in accordance with its identified priorities for the allocation of capital funding made available from my Department under the national development plan. In addition, my Department has provided funding for the employment of two radiographers in the current year to meet the operational needs of the CT service at St. Luke's Hospital.
