Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I again thank Senator Craughwell. I assure the House that the Government is committed to the implementation of the national cancer strategy, as evidenced by significant investment in recent years. Cancer survival rates continue to improve, with around 215,000 patients living after an invasive cancer diagnosis, which is equivalent to one in 23 people in Ireland.We really welcome that. There is also the fact that we have the highest life expectancy in the EU, as deemed by the World Health Organization. It does not happen by accident. We know good work is going on in respect of cancer across the centres of excellence.

I wish to flag one issue. There was an initial €900,000 allocated but we do not know how much of that was spent across other Departments. I cannot assume that all of it is available to one particular facility. When I go back, I will ask for an update on that and see whether we can provide some clarity, especially for Dr. Michael O’Sullivan and his team, who do phenomenal work, as they all do across the dental hospitals. They are an important facet, especially for someone who has to undergo treatment. It is amazing how the teeth are affected first and foremost. I am glad the Senator raised this matter.