Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 December 2025
385. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health her Department's plans on supporting mobile lung cancer screening vehicles, in view of the fact that these units help with the early detection of lung cancer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72777/25]
View answer386. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if the recent budget accounted for funding towards screening and diagnosis of lung cancer at earlier stages, in view of the fact that 60% of lung cancer patients are found at a later stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72778/25]
View answer390. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration would be given by her Department to provide funding for the lung health check pilot programme, in view of the fact that lung cancer is responsible for 20% of all cancer deaths in the country which equates to 2,000 deaths per annum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72782/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 385, 386 and 390 together.
I am committed to supporting Ireland’s population screening programmes, which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population.
The Programme for Government commits to evaluate the current lung cancer screening pilot in line with WHO criteria and develop recommendations for a way forward.
The ‘Lung Health Check’ pilot, an Irish-based prospective study involving Beaumont Hospital and the RCSI, was launched in March 2025 under the EU4Health-funded SOLACE project. It aims to assess the feasibility of instituting a community-based lung health check programme in Ireland by inviting individuals in the North Dublin and the North-East region who are identified as being of higher risk of lung problems to attend their mobile screening unit for breathing tests and a low-dose chest CT scan.
The pilot is primarily funded by the Irish Cancer Society and supported by the SOLACE consortium, with funding provided by my Department’s Women’s Health Fund. I have also been informed that the research team involved in the Lung Health Check is actively considering involvement in a successor initiative to SOLACE and I welcome this move.
In response to requests for additional funding, my Department allocates funding for research in health and social care to its statutory agency, the Health Research Board (HRB). The HRB is the largest funder of research in this area in the state. The HRB’s mission is to support research that improves people’s health, promotes evidence-informed care and create solutions to societal challenges. It does this by offering a portfolio of health research funding schemes. These schemes provide funding in all areas of disease and 20% of funding is awarded to cancer-related research. HRB funding is awarded via open, competitive calls and, as such, is accessible to researchers working in the area of lung cancer.
It should be emphasised that any proposed changes to Ireland’s screening programmes will be considered through established, evidence-driven protocols.
The National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC), an independent expert group, assesses evidence rigorously and transparently against internationally accepted criteria before making recommendations to me as Minister for Health.
The robust processes used by NSAC are essential to ensure screening programmes are effective, quality assured, and safe and that the benefits of screening outweigh potential harms. This is determined through a Health Technology Assessment (HTA), which is undertaken by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), on behalf of NSAC.
HTAs facilitate the assessment of relevant evidence and knowledge on the effects and consequences of healthcare technologies to guide decisions regarding the appropriate use of technology and efficient allocation of resources. They involve a multi-disciplinary assessment of the clinical, economic, ethical, legal and societal perspectives that may be impacted by the introduction of a new technology. They are time intensive and rigorous processes.
Across Europe, several major research initiatives are underway to assess the feasibility of lung cancer screening programmes, many involving Irish-based researchers. The findings from these studies will contribute to the evidence base for future consideration by NSAC. I look forward to receiving a recommendation from the Committee in due course.
Finally, I would emphasise that screening programmes are for people without symptoms. If anyone becomes aware of symptoms, or if they have concerns or worries, they should contact a medical professional immediately.
