Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)

A stand-alone permanent oncology and haematology unit is required at University Hospital Kerry. The number of patients requiring chemotherapy is increasing year on year. Over 5,000 patients were treated at University Hospital Kerry last year. The facility there does not have the capacity to cope with the increased demand. A new facility would reduce the need for Kerry patients to travel to Cork and elsewhere. Regarding the proposed unit at UHK, and notwithstanding the establishment of an interim oncology unit in 2023, it has been long recognised in the south-west region that the service requires a permanent stand-alone oncology and haematology unit. That was the essence of the response I received from Dr. Andy Phillips, the regional executive officer of the HSE south west, to a query I raised with Mr. Bernard Gloster. I previously raised the concerns of the patients and staff of Comfort for Chemo Kerry who to date have raised in excess of €1.5 million. I wish to acknowledge their work and fundraising to date.

The most recent delays are having a huge impact in the context of inflated prices and I urge that this project is expedited to deliver for the people affected and to get value for money. Everybody agrees that the project is vitally required and that the revised design plans were required because of the risk of escalating costs. With that, the delay itself is attracting further rising costs. I previously emphasised in my correspondence that this unit on the grounds of UHK is a top priority of mine. The facility will include a chemotherapy day unit, an outpatient department and an aseptic compounding unit, all designed to provide Kerry patients with the dignity, privacy and comfort they deserve during what is the most challenging period of their lives. We must endeavour to have all aspects of the plan included for our hard-pressed patients. Can I get a timeframe for the delivery of this facility?

I have two other quick questions. What is being done to improve Ireland's access to new cancer medicines, clinical trials and so on? What initiatives or programmes has the HSE not been able to expand or roll out due to the lack of funding for the cancer strategy?