Vol. 566 No. 1
76 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the percentage of the ?4.5 million provided for the development of the national heart, lung transplant programme which has been drawn down in 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11907/03]
Funding of €3.4 million was provided in 2002 for the development of the national lung transplant programme. This sum was utilised to advance the considerable preparatory work necessary to support the full establishment of the programme, including the provision of appropriate assessment facilities for patients, and the appointment of key transplant personnel at the Mater Hospital, Dublin.
The funding of €3.4 million has been repeated this year; in addition, a further €4.5 million has been provided bringing the total revenue funding to €7.9 million. This will be used to fund the continuation of the services currently in place and to support the commencement of the surgical and post-operative care components of the programme later this year.
