Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am sure the Tánaiste will agree with me that those who have, unfortunately, received a cancer diagnosis do not have the luxury of time while multi-annual budgets are introduced or efficiencies are found in health spending. This is true at the medical end of the spectrum also and it is true with respect to the excellent community support organisations that often accompany cancer patients and their families through what is often one of the most stressful and difficult times in a person's life.

That is why today I highlight the challenges being experienced by a fantastic, Offaly-based service called Dóchas, which is a cancer support group. Representatives from Dóchas, along with other members of a working group, met the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, on 13 September. They impressed on him the seriousness of the funding situation facing the wider collective community of cancer support services. The Department of Health undertook to speak to the national cancer control programme and the community healthcare organisations, CHOs, to see what funding may be available through them, as well as exploring any other avenues for possible once-off funding. Dóchas also submitted a comprehensive business proposal to Ms Carole Broadbank, chief officer of CHO 8, outlining the need for section 39 funding at local level. What did Dóchas get for all its trouble? It got a one-line response with an apology that no funding would be made available for the service despite the fact the Dóchas Offaly cancer support group falls into the same CHO as the Lakelands Area Retreat and Cancer Centre, LARCC, in Mullingar and the Cuisle Cancer Support Centre in Portlaoise, both of which are receiving section 39 funding through CHO 8. Those organisations also do fantastic work. I stress Dóchas has an excellent and collaborative working relationship with the centres I just mentioned which, as I said, do excellent work and it is good they have funding. However, the fact remains there is a gross disparity in funding that needs to be addressed. The major concern in Dóchas is it is not receiving any funding through CHO area 8 despite those other two receiving it. Dóchas and the community throughout Offaly who rely on it for vital support are now at risk of what is looking like a major operating deficit for 2023. My understanding is it is approximately €50,000, but in real terms it may be the difference between Dóchas being able to operate a vital service or not being able to do so. I am calling on the Tánaiste to take whatever action is necessary to revise this decision and have the HSE extend the courtesy of providing something more than a one-line reply to cancer support advocates like Dóchas.

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