Vol. 523 No. 2
150 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received a report from the committee of Comhairle na nOspidéal which recommends the development of ear, nose and throat, and head and neck surgery in Cork city and county; and when he will make a decision to finance the development of such a service in the Cork area. [19468/00]
I understand that the Southern Health Board sought the advice of Comhairle na nOspidéal in relation to arrangements for the provision of ear, nose, throat, head and neck surgery in the Cork area. I understand that comhairle has completed a report on this matter and made recommendations as to future development of this service. A copy of the report was forwarded to the Southern Health Board and to my Department.
Statutory responsibility for these services rests with the Southern Health Board and it is, in the first instance, a matter for the Southern Health Board to consider the recommendations of the report. I will consider any proposals made by the board arising from the comhairle report in the context of the board's overall priorities for the development of hospital services.
