Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 1 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 1

Written Answers - Hospital Services.

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

352 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health and Children if he is satisfied that adequate resources are being made available to neurology and neurosurgery here, particularly in relation to the number of neurologists and neurosurgeons in place and the number of beds allocated to neurology; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Ireland compares unfavourably to other EU countries in this regard; the measures he proposes to improve this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12130/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The issues raised by the Deputy have been brought to my attention by various professional interest groups in the area of neurology, neurosurgery and neurophysiology. In the light of concerns expressed I have requested Comhairle Na nOspidéal, whose statutory responsibility it is to regulate consultant appointments and to specify qualifications for these posts, to conduct a review of neurological services and related issues with the following terms of reference:

To examine the existing arrangements for the provision of consultant-level neurology and neurophysiology services nationally and following consultation with the interests concerned, to make recommendations to Comhairle Na nOspidéal on the future organisation and development of neurology and neurophysiology services. The review will focus on updating the 1991 Comhairle report taking into account recent advances in and increasing demand for neurological and neurophysiological services.

I look forward to receiving the report in due course.

Question No. 353 answered with Question No. 279.