Billy Kelleher
Ceist:616. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans to make proton beam therapy available here. [18185/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 11 April 2017
Ceisteanna (616, 617)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:617. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if clinical trials for proton beam therapy have taken place here. [18186/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 616 and 617 together.
The infrastructure and equipment required for proton beam therapy is hugely expensive and provision of such a facility in Ireland for the number of patients involved is not practical at this time.
In 2015, a total of 22 patients were referred for proton beam therapy in treatment centres abroad under the Treatment Abroad Scheme. This represents an extremely small proportion of Irish patients who are receiving radiotherapy. The National Cancer Control Programme will continue to monitor the number of Irish patients being referred overseas for proton beam therapy, as well as developments in technology that may impact on the viability of providing this treatment here.
As proton beam therapy is not available in Ireland, no clinical trials have taken place here.