Vol. 543 No. 1
54 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children if weekly breast cancer clinics will be held at Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar, County Mayo; if there are restrictions in place that prevent this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25382/01]
As the Deputy is aware, the provision of medical services in its functional area is a matter for the Western Health Board in the first instance.
I have provided a sum of £1 million this year to the Western Health Board for the development of symptomatic breast disease services in line with the recommendations of the report of the sub-group on the development of services for symptomatic breast disease. The board has formulated detailed proposals in relation to the development of these services in its functional area, including the development of such services at Mayo General Hospital. These proposals are currently under active consideration by my Department following extensive consultation with the Western Health Board, most recently on 4 October last.
I would like to assure the Deputy that I will continue to work with the board to ensure a comprehensive and coherent approach to the development of symptomatic breast disease in the region.
