Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 October 2025
110. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if there are plans, within the next year, to increase resources nationwide to address the wait times for those seeking an oncology appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52564/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to improving cancer care, ensuring better prevention, maintaining improvements in cancer survival rates, and timely access to treatments.
Since the beginning of the National Cancer Strategy in 2017, the Government has allocated €105 million to the National Cancer Strategy to support cancer services and improve outcomes for patients. This 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 has been provided in 2025 to support the recruitment of 179 additional staff to national cancer screening and treatment services.
Funding in 2025 is being used to expand the Acute Haematology Oncology Nursing Service which support those on active treatment to avoid ED attendance if they become acutely unwell.
Funding of €3 million in 2024 and €5.5 million in 2025 was allocated for the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres which provide psychosocial supports to cancer patients during and after treatment.
In addition to this, over €140 million has been invested, since the start of the strategy, in large scale capital projects for cancer, including state of the art radiation oncology facilities in Cork and Galway.
From 2021 to 2024, an additional €128 million was made available for new drugs, which has seen 194 new drugs or new uses for existing medicines approved for reimbursement by the HSE. This includes 74 drugs for cancer. The total spend on cancer drugs in this period exceeds €645 million.
