Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Our meeting is coming to an end. A number of Members still want to contribute, but I want to ask a couple of questions myself.

The Irish Cancer Society talked about people receiving life-changing news alone. I myself have been in that position, like Deputy Tóibín, in that I have got that difficult information and was told I had cancer. Can anything be done about this, bearing in mind we are dealing with a pandemic? Is there anything that can soften that blow or is there some other way of giving that information? I presume it is being given over the phone at present. Are the witnesses looking at this? Is there any way of doing it?

Second is the issue of the financial cost of cancer. We have a drugs payment scheme, but for many of those who have had or who have cancer the difficulty is that they first have to reach that ceiling, but many of the things one might need are not covered by the scheme. Perhaps the Irish Cancer Society representatives might talk about the real cost of not only the psychological and physical impact of cancer but also its financial impact. Is there anything they feel they need to say about that?

Finally, it is usually around this time of year in November and December that we talk about men's health. Are there any discussions ongoing in that regard? We know that men, particularly men of a certain age, do not talk about their issues, but it is important that people go forward and get tested. Is there any possibility of a screening programme, a proactive campaign, to get men in for screening, particularly for prostate cancer, although not solely for that? That would be important.

Those few questions probably need to be addressed. Before the witnesses come back in, I wish to thank all the staff they represent, particularly those in the HSE, for their dedication and commitment. They turn up every day and have done so during the pandemic, often at great risk to themselves and their families. It is important we as a committee say that and that we learn from mistakes. One of the things I noticed during my time attending was that many of the appointments were at the same time. I would get an appointment for 9.30 a.m. and another 40 people would turn up at the same time, or I would get an appointment for 2.30 p.m. and there would be another 40 people there. Clearly, people have busy lives, but there must surely be ways of improving that. We have learnt a lot from the pandemic about what we can and cannot do, and perhaps lessons can be learned from that.

I have asked a number of questions. If I can, I will try to fit in one of my colleagues after the witnesses' responses.