Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I welcome a number of advocacy champions for the Irish Cancer Society who are in the Public Gallery, including Katie Lally, Pat O’Gorman and Léa Hearst. I also welcome Maria Fleming, who has been great advocate in Dublin Central and holds us all to account. I value the work they have done and I am proud to welcome them to the Dáil.

The Social Democrats are proud to table this motion to mark an important week for cancer action and awareness. This Friday is World Cancer Day. Cancer is inescapable. There is not one person in the House or country who has emerged unscathed from the disease and its reach is growing. By 2035 there is expected to be a doubling in the number of cancer cases. An estimated 40% of the European population will face cancer at some point in their lives. At the same time, the number of cancer survivors living through or after cancer treatment continues to increase year on year.

At the end of 2019 almost 200,000 patients in Ireland were living with a cancer diagnosis. I have not received a diagnosis of cancer. I do not think anyone knows what their own reaction will be until they find themselves in the situation. What struck me from reading the Irish Cancer Society's report on the cost of cancer and hearing from cancer patients, survivors and their advocates is how much financial concern immediately weighs on a person who receives a diagnosis. No one's first thought after finding out they have a cancer diagnosis should be how they can afford it. This is not mental arithmetic as a form of self-preservation or distraction. It is not a translation into something more tangible or mundane because the thought of having cancer is too great. It is because what we fail to speak about in society is that cancer comes at a great personal cost not only in terms of health, emotion and quality of life but also financial impact.

The financial impacts are as real as the diagnosis itself. The Irish Cancer Society's cost of cancer report clearly illustrates not only the new costs associated with cancer but the reduction in income that hits simultaneously. I will read some direct quotes from cancer patients and survivors that highlight the devastating impact of the financial burden of cancer. One said it was like "a bomb went off". Another said "It's caused severe stress on us daily. Going from two excellent long-term full-time careers to social welfare. We even lost our house to the bank and I have missed appointments as we had no petrol to go". Another patient said "but for the generosity of friends, family and neighbours, we would not have been able to provide food for our children. The financial impact after a cancer diagnosis is immediate and significant."

Last year, further research from the ESRI showed the main reason people return to work after a cancer diagnosis is out of financial necessity rather than feeling ready to return. Once again, the financial implications overshadow what should be decisions made for the benefit of health and well-being. Research published in 2018 specifically examining colorectal cancer survivors and associated financial hardship supports the Irish Cancer Society's research. Of 496 respondents, 30% had no savings at the time of diagnosis. Of those who did have savings almost 50% used some or all of their savings.

There is no one type of cancer patient. Cancer patients are young people with families, working professionals, people living in rural areas and people living in cities. Stories of survival are becoming more commonplace but we know survival is different to thriving. Our previous thinking and priorities when it comes to the cost of cancer, namely, dealing with treatment options, life expectancy and survival rates, need to change. We need to be as concerned with the quality of life and the well-being of cancer survivors and patients as we are with treatment and survival rates. Every aspect of navigating a cancer diagnosis in Ireland comes at a financial cost, including travelling to treatment. People opt for public transport when travelling to and from chemotherapy despite knowing the nausea they feel. This is because they cannot afford the exorbitant car parking fees and worry about how many hours are left on the meter when receiving their radiation therapy. A total of 83% of patients incurred average car parking costs of €64 per month. Inpatient charges for chemotherapy and radiotherapy are €80 per visit and capped at €800 per year. Not only is there a cost for these treatments but cancer patients will be chased if they fail or forget to make a payment. After only 47 days, and with no clear guidance, a hospital can refer the debt to a debt collection agency. This is a time when people are at their most vulnerable.

Our motion supports a call from the Irish Cancer Society seeking to abolish the €80 inpatient charge paid by patients at every chemotherapy or radiotherapy appointment. It also seeks to stop the indignity of debt collectors being permitted to chase payments from cancer patients. It seeks to make the Government honour its commitment in the programme for Government to introduce a cap to the maximum daily charge for car parking for patients and visitors at all public hospitals where possible and introduce flexible passes in all public hospitals for patients and their families.

Last May, in response to a parliamentary question, the Tánaiste said with regard to using debt collectors for unmet hospital payments that people have a social obligation to pay their bills and taxes and settle their debts because if they do not do so they pass those debts, bills and costs onto society and other people. This is a Government that recognises a moral obligation for people to pay but not a moral obligation to provide affordable and accessible services. Politics is about choices. We can choose to be on the side of people who have experienced sickness and illness, who had no choice in getting ill, or we can choose to be on the side of those who believe people have to pay their debts regardless. The Social Democrats stand for our society where people who get sick are cared for.

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