Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
1048. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to any increase or perceived increase in the number of persons since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic diagnosed with stage four cancer; if she will provide any data or statistics held by her Department which detail annual trends in cancer diagnosis over the past decade; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14870/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) is the definitive source of cancer data in Ireland, collecting data on every new case of cancer since 1994. It has a statutory obligation to collate information in relation to national cancer incidence across all tumour types. This information is typically available 2 to 3 years after the year of incidence, in keeping with international standards
In December 2025 the NCRI published its report; The initial impact of COVID-19 on cancer in Ireland. According to the NCRI’s analysis, a consistent increase in late-stage cancer diagnoses (where the cancer has spread to other parts of the body) following the pandemic is not evident. Survival rates for all cancer sites in 2020–2021 remained broadly consistent with those observed in previous years.
While Covid-19 disrupted health services including cancer detection during 2020, a key finding in the NCRI’s report is that Ireland’s cancer outcomes remained stable overall and there is no clear evidence of a lasting impact on cancer mortality or on 1-year survival.
The number of overall cancer diagnoses (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) was 10% lower than expected in 2020 and 4% lower than expected in 2021. The largest decreases were observed in the four most common cancers: breast, colorectal, prostate, and lung. By 2022 the number of diagnosed cases had returned to expected levels, and it was only 2% lower which was in the predicted range.
Early in the pandemic the continued delivery of cancer care was identified as a key priority. It was highlighted in the National Action Plan on COVID-19 published on 16 March 2020 and cancer treatment continued throughout 2020 and 2021.
Significant funding of €12 million was allocated to cancer services in 2021 to address COVID-19–related disruption. This funding was used to support hospitals in addressing backlogs, extending clinic times, increasing diagnostic capacity, and providing locum or temporary support.
The benefits of these measures is reflected in the findings of the NCRI’s Covid-19 report. While across cancer types, the stage at diagnosis reflected the overall reduction in incidence, with fewer patients presenting with early stage disease, particularly in cancers included in national screening programmes. The NCRI found no evidence of a significant shift in the overall stage distribution, meaning no overall increase in later stage diagnoses was found.
One-year net survival remained stable once differences in age and stage at diagnosis were taken into account. Longer-term effects cannot be fully excluded, but current evidence indicates that the measures implemented during the pandemic to maintain cancer services supported the protection of patient outcome.
