James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 323 together.

Cancer research forms a large part of the research programme in Ireland today. The National Cancer Control Strategy noted that cancer research is an essential component in the development, implementation and evaluation of a National Cancer Control Programme. The Health Research Board (HRB) is the lead agency in Ireland supporting and funding health research and is the main channel of public funding for research at national level. It provides substantial amounts of funding for research into cancer.

Over the last five years, the HRB has advised that it has provided €20m for projects, programmes and fellowships in cancer research, including applied biomedical research, translation and clinical research, health services research and population health. It is not possible, however, to identify exact funding for specific types of cancer. In addition, funding of almost €19m is being made available for the All Ireland Cooperative Oncology Research Group (ICORG) clinical trials from 2008 - 2012, also through the HRB. Breast cancer studies account for 44% of the total ICORG study portfolio. Genitourinary (including prostate and cervical cancer) accounted for a further 15% of the portfolio, gastrointestinal 13% and lung 10%. The ICORG clinical trials are part of the activities under the Ireland–Northern Ireland–National Cancer Institute Cancer Consortium, which aim to reduce the incidence and mortality rate for cancer on the island of Ireland.

The HRB has also advised that it has invested €34m towards the development of clinical research facilities in major teaching hospitals, which provide the physical space and the expertise to carry out excellent clinical research in a safe and compliant environment. In addition to the funding provided by the HRB, health research projects are also funded by voluntary bodies including the Irish Cancer Society and others.