Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2007
256 Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the decision to transfer cancer services from St Lukes to St James, she will give a commitment to maintain St Lukes as a community health care facility and an assurance that it will not be sold off; the time frame within which the future of St Luke’s will be made clear; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22455/07]
View answerThe transfer of services from St. Luke's Hospital to new facilities at St. James's Hospital is not due to take place for a number of years.
In the meantime, two additional linear accelerators will be commissioned at St. Luke's in early 2008 and two replacement linear accelerators will be commissioned later in 2008. These will provide much needed interim capacity pending the roll out of the National Plan for Radiation Oncology.
No decisions have yet been taken in relation to the future use of the site and facilities at St. Luke's. However, I intend to ensure that these resources are utilised in the best interest of the health services. .
