Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for tabling this question. The National Cancer Registry Ireland reported that about one quarter of all cancers diagnosed between 2019 and 2021 were non melanoma skin cancers.

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Melanoma of skin accounted for one in 20 of the remaining invasive cancers diagnosed and one in 50 of cancer deaths every year. It is very important that anyone who has any concern should contact their GP. I am engaged directly with the dermatology services, which are a critical part of this, as are oncology services, to make sure people get rapid access.

To respond to the Deputy's point, it is acknowledged there is no safe limit for exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunbeds when it comes to risk of cancer. The national skin cancer prevention plan, which runs from 2023 to 2026, sets out the national actions to tackle our high rates of skin cancer. It uses a multidisciplinary approach through education, public awareness and behavioural change. Under the public health sunbeds legislation, a range of measures are enforced by the HSE.

In addition, as Deputy Funchion is aware, the EU is looking at this. Its response to tackling cancer is set out in its beating cancer plan. Action 18 is relevant to this discussion. It has measures to prevent exposure to ultraviolet radiation and this includes sunbeds. These are being considered by the EU. Departmental officials are working with the European Commission subgroup on cancer under the public health expert group. My understanding is that the recommendations are expected to be published prior to the end of March.

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