Hospital Services.

Wednesday, 24 September 2008

Questions (569)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

661 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will intervene to address the crisis in dermatology services in the north-east Health Service Executive region in view of the waiting list at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda and in view of the fact that St. James’s Hospital in Dublin has been unable to accept patients, as heretofore, from outside its official catchment area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31177/08]

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Written answers

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.