Vol. 559 No. 6
181 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Health and Children if the Mayo General Hospital has been seeking the replacement of a defective scanning X-ray machine for the past year without success which was closed down for safety reasons by the independent inspectorate of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland over one year ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26966/02]
The provision of medical services, including the replacement of equipment at Mayo General Hospital, is the responsibility of the Western Health Board in the first instance. My Department has recently received a tender report for the proposed new x-ray equipment for the screening room at Mayo General Hospital. This is currently being examined and evaluated by my Department.
My Department is at present reviewing, from a national point of view, the NDP for the health sector in light of the outturn position for 2002. The review also encompasses providing for existing capital contractual commitments and commencing where possible the planning or construction of new projects nationally in 2003 or beyond within the overall funding resources available to my Department. It is in this context that capital developments for the Western Health Board region, including the proposed developments at Mayo General Hospital are now being examined.
