Ms Averil Power:

On the social protection rules and the need to have something that is easy to apply without having to set up a new scheme, that is something we were very conscious of so that is why our recommendations, in terms of immediate measures, are about extending existing schemes. We are not looking for a separate scheme for people with a life-limiting cancer diagnosis. We are calling for a widening of accessibility to existing schemes such as the fuel allowance, the household benefits package and the additional needs payment. We also propose that we use an existing definition in respect of end of life for emergency medical cards. We campaigned for emergency medical cards for a long time and are grateful for them. Thankfully, we were successful in achieving a definition to cover someone who is diagnosed with a terminal illness with an estimated 24 months or fewer to live. As Deputy Ó Cathasaigh said, medical professionals can certify that. We can get these people's oncologist, treating physician or GP to sign a certificate to certify that the expectation is that the person has less than two years to live. That is why we have stuck at existing definitions and schemes so that it is something that is easy to do without having to set up a new separate initiative.

On the SEAI, our initial approach was to write to and engage with the relevant Ministers. We are grateful that the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, has offered to meet us over the next few weeks. We intend to raise this issue with him and we can write directly to the SEAI.

On our recommendations in general, we would advocate for a mixture of short- and medium-term interventions. We very much align with everything that Ms O'Connor and Mr. Mac Evilly said about the just transition. Climate change is probably the greatest threat to health of this generation. We are part of the Climate and Health Alliance. It is something we feel very strongly about because people with cancer and other serious illnesses are more vulnerable to the negative effects of climate change, including flooding. The ability to get out of one's house in the event of extreme weather is much more difficult when someone has a serious health condition. There is treatment disruption, which we have seen, during things like hurricanes and flooding. Cancer services not being able to operate is an enormous risk to life and, therefore, we feel very strongly about the need to tackle climate change. There are also benefits, which is an issue relevant to this committee. I refer to the co-benefits for health of those measures. Things like active travel and cleaner air are enormous co-benefits for conditions like cancer where 40% of cancers are preventable. We would echo all of the recommendations and support them with equal passion. Our challenge is that there are people dying now. Every year, 9,000 people die. While the medium-term measures are really important, and it is essential we ensure that there is a just transition and focus, in particular, on lower-income in respect of energy measures and energy comfort, the reason we are talking about the fuel allowance and those measures is people need money right now. They need energy credits right now. We would love in time that there is no need to give people credits for dirty fuels but right now that is what people are reliant on and they need that immediate support to relieve both the emotional and financial distress that energy hardship is causing right now.