Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Cancer Treatment Services.

John McGuinness

Question:

1164 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if there is a designated cancer ward in Waterford Regional Hospital; the number of cancer patients being treated in the south east; the level of funding given to this service in 2000, 2001 and 2003; the number of patients from the south east who travel to Dublin for treatment and the cost to the South-Eastern Health Board in this regard; if further investment is intended in this service in Waterford; and, if so, the amount and timeframe in this regard. [16877/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

There are 12 designated beds in Waterford Regional Hospital for haematology and oncology. There is also an area designated as a day ward. The funding allocated specifically for the development of oncology and related services in the South-Eastern Health Board during the period 2000-02 is as follows:

Year	Additional Amount€m	Cumulative Total€m
2000	1.4	1.4
2001	2.8	4.2
2002	2.3	6.5
Total		12.1

As the Deputy is aware, the provision of cancer services in the South-Eastern Health Board region is a matter for the chief executive officer of the South-Eastern Health Board in the first instance. My Department has therefore requested the chief executive officer to look into the detailed matters raised by the Deputy and reply directly to him as a matter of urgency.