The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Significant investment has been made in the south eastern region since the implementation of the national cancer strategy in 1997 to address pressures and progress developments in oncology services. I consider that appropriate transport arrangements for patients requiring radiotherapy should be made available, where necessary, by the HSE. Accordingly, I have requested my Department to refer this matter to the director of the National Hospitals Office for priority attention.