Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 22 Mar 2001

Vol. 533 No. 2

Written Answers. - Cancer Treatment Services.

Deirdre Clune

Question:

90 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 523 of 30 January 2001, he will give details of the timescale for implementation of the plan for the development of centres of excellence for the treatment of breast disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8442/01]

Deirdre Clune

Question:

91 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 523 of 30 January 2001, he will provide a breakdown of the way in which the £4.315 million is to be allocated to each of the areas mentioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8443/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 91 together.

As indicated to the Deputy previously, the development of centres of excellence for the treatment of symptomatic breast disease will commence this year. The health boards have statutory responsibility for the provision of health services and the timeframe for the development of centres of excellence varies between boards. All health boards are currently considering how best to implement the recommendations in the report, having regard to a number of factors including consultant appointments, the physical infrastructure of the unit to be developed, and equipping requirements. The development of centres of excellence for the treatment and care of symptomatic breast disease will take place over the next number of years.

In my reply to Question No. 523 from the Deputy on 30 January last, I indicated that funding of £4.315 million was allocated this year for symptomatic breast disease services. In fact, total funding made available in 2001 for the development of services for the treatment of symptomatic breast disease is £4.35 million. This includes £4.115 million for the development of centres of excellence and a total of £0.235 million for post-operative services to women diagnosed with breast disease. The funding has been allocated as follows:

Agency	Developmentof services	Post-operativeservices
Eastern Regional Health Authority	£915,000	£85,000
Mid-Western Health Board		£15,000
Midland Health Board	£500,000	£10,000
North-Western HealthBoard		£15,000
North-Eastern Health Board	£200,000	£15,000
South-Eastern Health Board	£700,000	£25,000
Southern Health Board	£800,000	£35,000
Western Health Board	£1,000,000	£35,000

I would like to assure the Deputy that I am committed to these developments and the continuation of the implementation of the national cancer strategy.