John Browne
Ceist:109 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Health if he has any plans to use national lottery funds to help those who need by-pass operations to avail of private treatment.
Written Answers. - National Lottery Funds.
I have no plans to use national lottery funds to help eligible persons needing heart by-pass surgery to avail of private treatment.
I have, however, provided additional funds to enable the service for public patients to be enhanced during 1992 in both Dublin and Cork. When these services are fully operational it will be possible to provide services for an additional 450 public patients per annum. I am satisfied that proposed increases in the throughput of public patients undergoing cardiac surgery in public hospitals will reduce waiting lists considerably. The adequacy of the service is kept under constant review.