Ambulance Service.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 April 2007

Wednesday, 25 April 2007

Ceisteanna (143)

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

163 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the number of rheumatology patients particularly in the west and north Mayo area who have no access to an ambulance service to travel for rheumatology clinics in Galway; if her attention has further been drawn to the difficulty that this causes for patients particularly with lower limb rheumatoid arthritic conditions; her proposals to improve this position; her views on including this category of patient with other categories who are approved for ambulance transport to clinics including oncology, dialysis, transplant patients and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15537/07]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.