Vol. 575 No. 5
147 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the position with regard to the x-ray unit for Belmullet, County Mayo; the reason the health board has not paid its contribution towards this; and when it is expected that the x-ray unit will be put in place in Belmullet. [28797/03]
The CLÁR project to extend radiology services to Belmullet Community Hospital by means of a tele-radiology link with Mayo General Hospital was announced some time ago. I understand that the Western Health Board is due to commence work on the project immediately and that it is expected to be completed by March 2004. The total cost of the project is €600,000. Funding is being provided on a 50:50 basis from the health capital programme and the CLÁR programme, which is under the remit of my colleague, Deputy Ó Cuív, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
I believe that the development of a teleradiology link between Belmullet Community Hospital and Mayo General Hospital will be of considerable benefit to the local community.
