5. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of linear accelerators currently in use for radiotherapy services in the State; their age profile, including the number over 20 years old; the recommended replacement age for such equipment; and whether a rolling procurement and replacement programme is in place. [18169/26]

Sentiment score: 0.11

The number of linear accelerators in use in radiotherapy in the State is 22. Following the discussion we have just had about the cancer strategy, will the Minister make a statement on the procurement and replacement programme by the HSE for new linear accelerators? A number of the accelerators are reaching the age of 18 and the recommended international replacement time is eight to ten years. It costs a lot of money to maintain them.

Sentiment score: -0.04

I am asking this question out of concern rather than as a challenge. We heard a presentation from the Irish Cancer Society and Professor Gerry Hanna last week. From the information the Minister is getting from the HSE and from what we are being told, the international standard is to replace a linear accelerator that is being fully used after eight to ten years. The Minister has raised issues around productivity and management of this infrastructure. It appears the procurement process has been held up for the replacement of those older devices, which have been around for 18 years. I believe there are three of these. They will have been in place for nearly 20 years when they are replaced. With regard to the age profile of our infrastructure, it appears we are an outlier within the European Union. It is important that we have an efficient planned rolling procurement process.

Sentiment score: -0.00

In talking about management and productivity, the Minister will find an ally in me. She has pointed this out very clearly since she began her tenure as Minister for Health. I agree with her 100%. I acknowledge the investment by the Department and the HSE in the linear accelerators in Galway. That is a hugely welcome development but, as the Minister has quite rightly pointed out, the figures for the time between point of diagnosis and getting to chemotherapy are not meeting the targets in the west of Ireland. We should not have that regional disparity. I am getting off the point but the Minister has acknowledged that, which is very honest of her. With regard to the linear accelerators, it has been expressed to me that part of the problem is a very slow procurement process, especially for those older machines, which have been in service far longer than internationally recommended. I have been told that, when some of the components break down, not only are the machines taken out of operation for up to three weeks, but the replacement components can cost €300,000 to €400,000. In the context of a machine that costs €2 million to €3 million, that seems inexplicable.

Sentiment score: 0.16