Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Nash is correct in regard to the improvements that have been made in diagnosis and survival rates. We are focusing on improving the quality of cancer services through reorganisation and expansion. Previously we had a fragmented system but we have consolidated cancer treatment in eight designated cancer centres, not including Crumlin, with multidisciplinary care and decision making. Given the time required to achieve full national roll out and rapid access clinics in designated centres, the full impact of the establishment of the national cancer control programme and the introduction of cancer screening programmes will not be realised until we evaluate five year mortality rates for patients diagnosed from 2012 onwards. There are enormous opportunities in this area but they bring with them the kinds of challenges that Deputy Nash outlined. We will do all we can to assist families and provide cancer diagnosis and treatment at the highest international standards.

See this speech in context