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

The Tánaiste and the Minister for Health will both be aware of the survey from the Irish Cancer Society that was released today. It acknowledged once again the huge financial pressure placed on a person and a person's family who has experienced a cancer diagnosis. Last year the Social Democrats brought a motion to the Dáil on the cost of cancer. We were relieved to see the Government listen to the Social Democrats and agree to the lifting of inpatient hospital charges. However, we can and should go further. We need to see medical cards for every cancer patient, the removal of hospital carparking charges, the abolition of prescription charges and absolutely do away with any debt collection agencies going after cancer patients who are experiencing this horrendous diagnosis and the costs that follow.

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