Bernard Allen
Question:571 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of public hospitals that have MRI scanners funded by his Department; and when these MRI scanners were provided. [22073/01]
Written Answers. - Hospital Equipment.
At present, magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, facilities in the public hospital sector are available at Beaumont, St. James's and Tallaght Hospitals in Dublin and the University College Hospital, Galway. The MRI facilities in Beaumont Hospital have been in service since 1993 while I provided £5.8 million in May 2000 for the provision of MRI facilities at the other three hospitals. In addition, MRI scanning services are available at a number of private hospitals which may be accessed by the public hospital system if required.
The Deputy may also wish to note that the Children's Hospital, Temple Street, and Cappagh Orthopaedic Hospital, Dublin, have both opened MRI facilities recently. In both cases these scanners were purchased and installed through voluntary fund raising and I understand that the Eastern Regional Health Authority is contributing funding towards the revenue cost involved.