Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wholeheartedly welcome and support this motion. What is proposed in the motion should have really gone without saying. The fact that people who are diagnosed with cancer are not only faced with monetary hurdles but are actively hindered and hounded by their own Government is a resounding disgrace. Surely, the €4.3 million that has been thrown into debt collection could have been the subject of a more humane, not to mention a more efficient and effective, purpose. Perhaps I am misled in thinking the HSE has no other areas that require funding. The very idea of a debt collector in any instance would be more than enough to scare, intimidate and stress any regular person. I ask the Minister of State to imagine that level of fear and upset being laid on the shoulders of a person who is in the midst of battling one of life's most physically and emotionally draining challenges. In fact, the horrendous thing is that it affects not only individuals, although that is bad enough, but also their families.

A recent report by the Irish Cancer Society, The Real Cost of Cancer, notes the disastrous lived impact that a cancer diagnosis has on a person, their family and their income and finances. If the cancer patient is an adult, they are often unable to work or have to reduce their hours significantly. Understandably, this is due to feeling unwell and to the impact of treatments. The Irish Cancer Society has also reported increasing problems for cancer patients applying for discretionary medical cards. This is completely unacceptable. The medical system is clearly not serving the people it was set up to serve and needs a complete overhaul. It is based on an antiquated 1970s piece of legislation that is just not fit for purpose. It should be the objective of every Government to have it repealed and removed.

In the unthinkable situations faced by so many Irish families where a child has been diagnosed with cancer, more often than not, one parent will cease work in order to be able to care for their child. For those fortunate enough to be unaware of the realities of cancer treatment and care, it does not limit itself to check-ups and a day in hospital to receive the treatment in question. For many, particularly in rural areas in counties such as Donegal, even just receiving treatment means travelling to a larger hospital located hours away. This undoubtedly gives rise to parking fees and food, drink and often accommodation costs. There are voluntary transport providers who provide the transport for patients from County Donegal to Galway on the aptly-named cancer bus. It is a vitally important and a very good service that the patients rely on. The service relies on fundraising. In this day and age, it does not bear thinking about.

In the children's hospitals, limited parental accommodation is offered. While the organisations that fund and run these accommodations are providing hugely important support to families desperately in need, there are still ancillary costs involved. When the illness and treatment is ongoing, these costs accrue. The report of the Irish Cancer Society notes that monthly costs can run up to beyond €1,000. Even without the additional costs involved, the Irish Cancer Society notes that cancer patients face a loss of €1,500 per month on average. That means that people facing one of life's toughest battles are already feeling financial strain before additional costs even begin to add up.

At present, the supports that help in the everyday reality of those in the midst of cancer treatment, are offered by NGOs. I applaud the volunteer driver service and the NGOs that provide night nurse care when a patient is terminal and care has reached the end-of-life stage. These are all exceptionally helpful. However, it saddens and angers me that while we have charities and NGOs providing empathetic support, the Government is not only failing to do likewise, but it is actively adding to the huge burden that cancer patients and their families face. Is it not enough to hear the dreaded words "It is cancer", and the emotional toll that takes on a person and their loved ones? Is it not enough that the harsh reality is that when people face cancer, not only do their finances cease to improve but they are reduced considerably?

I support this motion and call on the Government to: abolish parking rates or, at the very least, implement the promised cap on parking payments; ensure a complete overhaul of the medical card system; put an end to debt collections; and scrap the ridiculous €80 inpatient charge for cancer patients.

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