Professor Risteárd Ó Laoide:

Part of the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 pertained to workforce planning. Contained within that were references to demographics and changes to come in the incidence of cancer as a whole that will occur in our population up to 2045. The estimated additional staffing required over the lifetime of the strategy was more than 1,000 people. So far, from 2017 to 2020, an additional 200 positions have been added across the cancer services. I am glad to say that the additional funding we got in 2021 has allowed another 200 positions to be created across the cancer services. We hope to continue this process with additional funding in 2022. The national cancer strategy has outlined that pathway in depth.

It is also important to say that we are working with other organisations, such as the various faculties in colleges, the national doctors training and planning unit and the nursing office within the HSE and pharmacy professionals, to develop a wide-ranging workforce plan for all staff within the cancer services. This initiative will require funding and that is why continued year-on-year funding will be necessary throughout the life of the cancer strategy. We are hopeful that will continue.