John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 172: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on whether centralising oncology services does not work (details supplied). [23842/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Government is committed to making the full range of cancer services available and accessible to cancer patients throughout Ireland in line with best international standards. It is important to build teams of highly expert clinicians working together to deliver top quality cancer care to cancer patients. To this end, we will provide considerable investment in oncology services in the coming years.

The national cancer forum is currently finalising a new national cancer strategy. The strategy has been developed in consultation with the major stakeholders, professional and voluntary groups and the general public and will have regard to the multi-faceted aspects of cancer control. The strategy will set out the key priorities for the development of cancer services over the coming years and will make recommendations on a balanced organisation of cancer services nationally, with defined roles for hospitals in the delivery of cancer care. It is anticipated that this work will be completed in the autumn.