Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Health if he intends to being forward a new National Cancer Strategy; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13851/13]

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Health if he has commenced work on a new national cancer strategy; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13843/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 129 together.

The second national cancer strategy, “A Strategy for Cancer Control in Ireland, 2006", addressed the rising burden of cancer in the Irish population. The Strategy was developed by the second National Cancer Forum, an advisory body to the Minister for Health and Children at that time. The Strategy’s vision was that “Ireland will have a system of cancer control which will reduce our cancer incidence, morbidity and mortality rates relative to other EU countries by 2015.” To date, significant progress has been made on implementing the Strategy's recommendations but more work is needed on reducing the burden of cancer associated with lifestyle related behaviours.

The HSE established the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) in 2007 to implement the 2006 Strategy. The role of the NCCP is to provide a comprehensive programme of cancer control in Ireland, to transform how cancer care is delivered, and ensure that cancer services meet the highest standards.

Recently, I published Future Health: A Strategic Framework for Reform of the Health Service 2012-2015. This sets out the main healthcare reforms that will be introduced in the coming years, as key building blocks for the introduction of Universal Health Insurance in 2016. Future Health is about prioritising the needs of patients even as difficult decisions on health financing are made.

Future Health will deliver a major reshaping of the health system by restructuring our service delivery, and improving our organisational, financial, governance and accountability systems across the board – in the primary, community and hospital sectors. Any changes that are deemed necessary in relation to cancer control will be considered in the context of Future Health.