Radiation oncology is the use of radiotherapy to treat cancer.  The radiation (high-energy rays) kills or shrinks tumour cells.

In July 2005, the Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney, T.D. announced the Government’s approval for a national network for Radiation Oncology services consisting of six centres.

The national network will consist of the four large centres on the following sites:

• St James’s Hospital, Dublin
• Beaumont Hospital, Dublin
• Cork University Hospital
• University College Hospital Galway

plus two integrated satellite centres in:

• Waterford Regional Hospital (managed by Cork University Hospital)
• Limerick Regional Hospital (managed by Galway University Hospital)

The capital investment is to be provided through a combination of exchequer and public private partnership (PPP) funding. The services planned for Dublin will be delivered in two phases.  The Phase 1 facilities will be procured traditionally by the HSE, with the Phase 2 facilities being procured under a PPP contract. 

The Phase 2 facilities will, on completion, incorporate the Phase 1 facilities and existing service sites in Cork University Hospital and Galway University Hospital

A draft timetable has been developed by HSE with Phase 1 radiation oncology services to be operational by the end of 2010 and the Phase 2 services to be operational by 2014.