Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail)

I highlight that the first ever under-23 all-Ireland camogie final will take place this Saturday in the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. It is a battle between Galway and Cork and throw-in is at 2 p.m. I encourage anyone in the area and from my county to attend and see history in the making, as the camogie association has rightly marketed it. I wish both teams well, although I am hoping the cup's first trip will be westward.

Similar to Senator Stephenson, I raise the reporting done this week by The Journal on the failure of our hospitals to meet treatment target times for cancer patients.Hospitals have a target to start treating 90% of patients within 15 working days on medications such as chemotherapy. From a Galway perspective, figures compiled by The Journalshow that, although the figure for UHG was 91% in 2023, it fell to 76% in 2024. So far, the figure to date for 2025 is 73%. At Portiuncula hospital, Ballinasloe, the figures went from 53% in 2023, which was considerably low, to 74% in 2024, and has increased slightly to 75% this year. The issue has affected hospitals throughout the country. Many others have worse rates than those in Galway. Indeed, The Journal found that "since 2023, all but one of the public hospitals offering these life-saving treatments missed the HSE’s monthly target at least once". Meeting these targets is critical for our patients. This is not like the delays in other areas, which are inconvenient. Delays in starting cancer treatment can be massively life-altering.

We need to quickly examine how we can best address this. It will likely require additional investment in some form ahead of budget 2026. This needs to be priority. I would be grateful if the Leader were able to raise the issue with the current Minister for Health and if she could attend the House at her earliest convenience.