Aisling Dempsey
Question:181. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Health the action can be taken to improve services and supports for cancer patients in Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64445/25]
View answerThursday, 20 November 2025
Questions (181)
Written answers
The Government is committed to improving cancer care, ensuring better prevention, maintaining improvements in cancer survival rates, and timely access to treatments.
There are 8 designated cancer centres and 26 centres providing systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) treatment in order to centralise complex and high-volume treatments in specialised centres for better patient outcomes, while using a "hub and spoke" model where 18 additional hospitals provide SACT closer to patients' homes. The 8 designated cancer centres focus on complex cases and surgical oncology, ensuring higher volumes lead to better results, in line with the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026.
The Government has allocated significant funding of €105 million, including €23 million in 2025, to the National Cancer Strategy since 2017 to support cancer services and improve outcomes for patients. This includes allocating funding to screening programmes, cancer treatment and survivorship services.
This funding has enabled the recruitment of over 670 staff to our national cancer services, including 200 nursing staff, 100 consultants, and 180 health and social care professionals in designated cancer centres. Funding in 2025 will support recruitment of 179 additional staff to national cancer screening and treatment services.
Capital funding of over €140 million has been used since 2017 to provide state of the art radiation oncology facilities to establish a National Cervical Screening Laboratory, and to update cancer infrastructure in chemotherapy wards and lab facilities. This year’s capital plan includes €12.13m for radiation oncology projects along with further funding for the design and construction of Oncology Day Units and chemotherapy infrastructure.
In addition to accessing hospital based cancer services, Meath is serviced by a number of community cancer support services in the Dublin North East Region. The Programme for Government 2025 commitment to the Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres is demonstrated through dedicated funding and the operational framework provided by the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP).
This includes a €5.5 million allocation to support survivorship programs, community services, and integration with national cancer services. This funding for the Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres provides vital support for people with cancer and their families, helping to improve the quality of life for those affected by cancer through community-based services. This investment contributes to the further development of national cancer services, supporting individuals living with and beyond cancer.