Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2024
1205. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will consider rechannelling expenditure on outsourcing radiotherapy treatments into public service capacity to ensure oncology centres can be fully staffed and there is a sufficient pipeline of training places for radiation therapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44938/24]
View answer1212. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the reason €10 million of public expenditure was utilised for outsourcing radiotherapy treatments when public services were lying unused for patient treatments; the reason this expenditure was not channelled into existing public service capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44979/24]
View answer1213. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the reason radiotherapy patients wait on waiting lists for cancer treatment whilst public services remain vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44980/24]
View answer1214. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the reason Ireland’s public radiation therapy centres cannot achieve the NCCP target of 90% of patients starting radiotherapy within three weeks of being ready to start; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44981/24]
View answer1240. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health to make a statement on the €10 million euro of public expenditure utilised for outsourcing radiotherapy treatments when public services were lying unused for patient treatments; and the reason this expenditure was not channelled into existing public service capacity. [45078/24]
View answer1241. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason, in his view, that Ireland's public radiation therapy centres cannot achieve the NCCP target of 90% of patients starting radiotherapy within three weeks of being ready to start. [45079/24]
View answer1256. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the reason €10 million of public expenditure was utilised for outsourcing radiotherapy treatments when public services were lying unused for patient treatments; the reason this expenditure was not channelled into existing public service capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45143/24]
View answer1257. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the reason radiotherapy patients wait on waiting lists for cancer treatment whilst public services remain vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45144/24]
View answer1258. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the reason public radiation therapy centres do not achieve the NCCP target of 90% of patients starting radiotherapy within three weeks of being ready to start; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45145/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1205, 1212, 1213, 1214, 1240, 1241, 1256, 1257 and 1258 together.
In Budget 2025, €23 million has been secured for the National Cancer Strategy, including access to new cancer medicines, expansion of cancer screening, funding for community cancer support centres, and implementation of the National Cancer Strategy. This will mean over €105 million has been invested into the Strategy since 2017.
Capital funding of over €140 million has been provided under the current National Cancer Strategy to deliver state of the art radiation oncology facilities in Galway and Cork, to update cancer infrastructure in chemotherapy wards and lab facilities for the benefit of patients, as well as investment in the new National Cervical Screening Laboratory.
The National Radiotherapist Review was finalised earlier in the year and is now being implemented. The Review’s recommendations aim to help address issues of recruitment and retention in this profession. Measures in Budget 2025 include funding for advanced practice radiotherapy posts, and the Department of Health is working with the HSE with regard to establishing clinical learning supports aligned with clinical placement provision in each of the five radiation oncology sites nationally.
I am aware that there are currently vacancies among radiation therapist roles in the public centres providing radiotherapy. There are ongoing recruitment campaigns to address these vacancies. Investment under Budget 2025 includes funding for eight additional staff for radiation therapy services.
