425. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the reason the vascular medicine service at St James’s Hospital has been allowed to close; the reason no replacement consultant has been funded to re-open the service; the interim arrangements in place for patients requiring such care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54210/26]

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.