Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)

The Government is committed to the implementation of the national cancer strategy and to improving the services patients receive. Infrastructural developments are a key enabler of timely cancer detection and treatment. Since the launch of the strategy in 2017, more than €140 million has been invested in capital infrastructure. This funding has improved cancer facilities throughout the country. It has delivered the new national cervical screening laboratory hospital and two new radiation oncology facilities in Cork and Galway.

This year, the HSE’s capital plan includes a further €20 million for diagnostic facilities. This will improve access to imaging, endoscopy and laboratories. The plan also includes €12 million for radiation oncology projects. These investments will continue to modernise our cancer care and diagnostic infrastructure.

Access to radiology and diagnostics has been recognised as an issue and I thank the Deputy for highlighting it. The productivity and savings task force published an action plan for 2025 to address this. This commits to greater evening and weekend availability of diagnostic equipment. I have spoken to the CEO of the HSE, Bernard Gloster. On foot of that conversation, he is conducting a review of diagnostic equipment utilisation. The findings will be presented to me along with the waiting list task force in June. This is very important to understand the local nuances of how diagnostic equipment is or is not being used and when it is or is not being used. The Deputy can be sure I have a very direct interest in that.

The Government continues to build on our investment and strategic approach to cancer control. Since 2017, funding of €105 million has been invested in the national cancer strategy. This has enabled the extension of population cancer screening, increased access to therapies and services and improved quality of life for people with cancer but, of course, we need to continue that work.

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