Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue, to which I am responding on behalf of the Minister for Health. Cancer Connect was set up in 2011 and provides a free transport service for people attending Cork hospitals for cancer-related appointments, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The driving is done entirely by volunteers who give their time to the valuable service. Fundraising is integral to the continued service provided by Cancer Connect and other such support services and the Minister is advised the organisation has also received financial support from the HSE.

In 2022, the HSE's national cancer control programme, NCCP, provided programme-level funding to Cancer Connect in order that it could continue to provide transport for people receiving cancer treatment throughout the area served in County Cork. I understand Cancer Connect expanded its service beyond west Cork in response to the increase in the number of cancer patients attending Cork hospitals. The organisation is now providing a service in north-east Cork while examining other expansion options including volunteer driver recruitment.

The Government recognises the need for patients to have good access to, and support with travel for, cancer treatment. Two services administered by the Irish Cancer Society offer financial or transport supports towards travel for cancer treatment. The first of these services is the travel-to-care scheme, a limited transport assistance fund funded by the NCCP at a cost of a €350,000. This is available to patients travelling to a designated cancer centre, an approved centre or an approved children's hospital and will cover part of the associated costs.

The second scheme available is the volunteer driver service. Similar to that provided by Cancer Connect, this is a volunteer-delivered transport service wherein patients are driven to and from treatment in designated partner hospitals and centres. Drivers are interviewed, trained and Garda vetted and must attend annual support supervision sessions run by the Irish Cancer Society. The volunteer driver service is free to the patient, with all costs paid by the Irish Cancer Society, and applications can be made through a healthcare professional in a partnered hospital, who will then discuss the suitability of the service. Once referred, the patient must book appointments with the Irish Cancer Society. I am advised the Irish Cancer Society is happy to receive requests outside the guidelines on exceptional bases. The Minister welcomes the opportunity to discuss funding for cancer support services and centres and encourages the Cancer Connect organisation in Cork to engage with the HSE on any funding applications or concerns it has.

Cancer support services throughout Ireland, whether they provide assistance with travel or other supports to people living with and beyond cancer, are invaluable to those they support. The Government recognises the valuable work done by the staff and volunteers of cancer support centres throughout the country.

See this speech in context