Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations. I was going to ask about the cancer strategy but I think it has been covered fairly substantially. Obviously, there is a serious problem as a result of the pandemic and Ms Power outlined it in great detail in her presentation. Is there any idea of the number of people who have sadly lost their lives as a result of late diagnosis? Given it is very difficult to tell, are there any statistics in that regard?

Do the witnesses have any comments on the suspension of the HPV roll-out in second level schools? Over 80% of young people were getting the HPV vaccine and a lot of that was down to the work of Laura Brennan before she passed away. I have concerns that this has been compromised because there has not been any real confirmation from the HSE about a follow-up or catch-up programme. I believe local pharmacists should be included in providing the HPV vaccine. I also believe that where there is spare capacity at the mass vaccination centres, the HPV vaccine should be offered there. I am very concerned about that issue and I would like to hear the views of the witnesses.

On another question to Ms Power, the Irish Cancer Society clearly relies on funding from the public. How much impact has there been on its activities as a result of not being able to do substantial fundraising? Has the State in any way stepped in to alleviate the pressures the Irish Cancer Society has been under as a result of not being able to raise funds? Is there anything Ms Power would like the committee to do to highlight any gaps that may exist?