Vol. 531 No. 4
106 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason there is no infertility treatment centre in the Southern Health Board region; the proposals he has to introduce such a centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5209/01]
The Southern Health Board is the body responsible for the provision of health services within its functional area. The board has advised that the position with regard to the treatment of couples with infertility problems within its area is that, in addition to facilities available at Tralee General Hospital for investigation and treatment of infertility problems, there is an intra-uterine insemination service available at Cork University Hospital. This service was developed by Professor Jenkins, former Professor of Obstetrics with the Southern Health Board, who retired last year. If a woman is not suitable for this treatment or if it is unsuccessful, she will be referred to the HARI Institute in Dublin, the Regional Fertility Centre in University College Hospital, Galway, or the Infertility Centre in Belfast for IVF.
Since Professor Jenkins's retirement, the service has been provided by a locum consultant obstetrician. However, this individual is about to take up a permanent post in Tralee and the successful candidate for the post of professor of obstetrics has a special interest in areas other than infertility. Accordingly, with a view to addressing the resulting gap in the service, the board has indicated it will bring forward and expedite its proposal to submit an application to my Department seeking funding for a new post of consultant obstetrician with a special interest in IVF. The application will be submitted within the next few weeks. When such an application, which is subject to approval by Comhairle na nOspidéal, is made to my Department, it is considered in the context of available resources and the priority accorded to it by the health board.
