Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

The Government's amendment to the motion is based on recognition of achievements to date in cancer care, and the broad range of strategies we are implementing on health promotion, prevention, screening, treatment and supportive care. It is also based on the need to plan, reform and ensure we have sound, evidence-based policies for the short to medium term. This is especially needed, as we will see a doubling of cancer cases in the years ahead. My colleagues, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, and the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Tim O'Malley, have informed the House of the substantial increase in investment which has resulted in increased medical, nursing and support staffing. This investment has delivered real improvements in care.

There are approximately 120,000 survivors of cancer which reflects the improving diagnosis and more successful treatments for cancers generally. We have achieved the key goal of the 1996 national cancer strategy, which was to reduce the death rate from cancer in the under 65 age group by 15%. This was achieved three years ahead of target. More than 100 additional consultants have been appointed in key areas of cancer care. There were almost 94,000 admissions for cancer care in 2005, an increase of nearly 70% over 1997. Just fewer than 58,000 people were treated for cancer as day cases in 2005, an increase of 130% over 1997. We ask this House to recognise these achievements. This request is not based on complacency. It is founded on the reality that many more patients are being treated and our health system detects more cancers early.

I am conscious as I quote these figures that they do not give the real picture because there is a story behind each number, from the shock of discovery, the treatment and the disruption it can cause to families, to the hope of recovery which is realised for some. For other families, despite treatment and care there is devastation following a death. The "Big C" as it is often known as, is no longer seen as the inevitable end, as it once was. Survival rates for all the major cancers are improving in Ireland. It is important to make that point in discussing this sensitive issue.

Cancer patients and their families recognise the impressive services being provided by doctors, nurses and support staff. We often hear cancer patients lauding the professional standards of care they receive and the caring approach of health professionals. This is the case whether patients are at the curative stage of illness or when cure can no longer be achieved. It is important that this House recognises the cancer carers, whose numbers have increased substantially in recent years, a reflection of the priority and investment in cancer care.

The organisation and delivery of cancer care will be an integral element of the current reform agenda. The Health Service Executive is progressing the implementation of the national strategy for cancer control and establishing a national cancer control programme to manage and deliver cancer control. This will involve the integration of health promotion, screening, treatment and supportive and palliative care services within a single governance structure.

The programme will bring together major functions in planning, needs assessment, prioritisation, resource allocation, workforce planning, implementation of national guidelines and cancer care pathways. Patients interact with the cancer control system at various stages, from screening and treatment to supportive and palliative care. They require seamless transition between these stages, where services, regardless of setting, are organised and delivered around the patient. This is the basic organisational principle behind the HSE's reform. We need to achieve equity in the delivery of cancer care, regardless of where and how the patient interacts with our health system.

Deputy Boyle mentioned the National Cancer Registry last night. The collection, evaluation and application of timely and comprehensive cancer control data is essential to support evidence-based planning and performance management. For these reasons, the Minister has concluded that it would be preferable for the functions of the National Cancer Registry to form part of the HSE's national cancer control programme. The Minister has allocated additional revenue funding of €400,000 in 2007 to the National Cancer Registry, a 20% increase on last year's allocation. This funding will be used to progress electronic data capture, geocoding, the completion of a patterns of care study and to expedite registration in the Dublin area.

Questions have been asked about future investment in cancer control. The Government has invested heavily in cancer services and the House can be assured that we will invest substantially in cancer control in the coming years on the basis of the reform programme outlined.

The developments in cancer services which I have outlined today clearly indicate the considerable progress that has been made in addressing the burden of cancer in Ireland. I am glad of the opportunity to put on record the substantial developments that have taken place to ensure the availability of high quality cancer services nationally. That is what we all want.

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