Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is correct that Covid-19 has had a very significant impact in terms of delayed diagnoses. Many activities that would have been taking place were suspended, particularly during severe surges of the Omicron, Delta and previous variants. It has had a serious impact with regard to delayed diagnoses and on waiting lists. In response to Covid-19 up to €350 million has been allocated for waiting times and waiting lists. Also, additional funding has been allocated to the national cancer strategy for increasing resources to enable hospitals and clinicians to deal with the increased workload that undoubtedly exists now.

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