Vol. 534 No. 5
118 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on the row over the centralisation of paediatric services; and if he has been in contact with Comhairle na nOspideál regarding his recommendation that paediatric urology be centred in one location. [11128/01]
I am most concerned and disappointed at the ongoing disagreement between the three children's hospitals in Dublin concerning the location of certain specialities and the structure of consultant paediatric surgery posts. The failure of the three hospitals to agree on the structuring of a post, as recommended by Comhairle na nOspideál, has prevented the permanent filling of the post referred to by Deputy Allen.
I am firmly of the view that it should be possible to resolve this matter through some minor modifications of the recommendations of Comhairle na nOspideál as to the structure and sessional commitments attaching to the specialist paediatric surgery posts in the three hospitals. My Department is now requesting the Eastern Regional Health Authority to progress the matter urgently on that basis and I am hopeful that this may lead to a resolution of the current disagreement.
