Vol. 509 No. 6
334 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make funding available to the Southern Health Board to compensate patients in Kerry for medical appointments where they have to hire private transport in the areas not facilitated with public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21223/99]
The provision of a transport service for patients to and from hospitals is a matter for each individual health board in the first instance. This service is provided by health boards either directly or on a contract basis depending on local needs and circumstances.
The relevant provisions of the Health Act, 1970, provide that health boards make whatever arrangements are considered necessary for the transport of patients. In making such arrangements, health boards have regard to the circumstances of the person concerned, the resources available to the boards and the many competing demands being made on these resources.
