Vol. 545 No. 3
117 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress which has been made to provide a new lung transplant unit here; when this facility will be opened; where it will be located; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30258/01]
The programme for Government, An Action Programme for the Millennium, contains a specific commitment to support the establishment of a heart and lung transplant facility in Ireland. An expert consultative group established to advise my Department on the development of the programme submitted its report in recent weeks. The report is being considered and will be dealt with as a priority. The Mater Hospital, Dublin, has been designated as the surgical site for the pro gramme. The provision of a transplant unit forms part of a major capital development at the Mater Hospital under the national development plan.
I am committed to ensuring that the Irish programme, when introduced, will be in a position to match the highest international standards in lung and heart and lung transplantation. Pending the establishment of an Irish based programme, an agreement is in place with the Freeman Hospital for the treatment of Irish patients requiring a lung or heart and lung transplant.
