Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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157. To ask the Minister for Health the composition of the working group charged with the preparation of the new national cancer strategy; if he will consider including a patient representative on the working group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18843/15]

Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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158. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the progress for the development of a new national cancer strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18844/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 158 together.

A Cancer Strategy Steering Group is being established to provide guidance and advice to my Department in formulating a new Cancer Strategy for the period 2016-2025. It is envisaged that the Steering Group will submit a draft Cancer Strategy for consideration by me before the end of 2015 with a view to the new strategy being ready for implementation from 2016.

My Department has also established a Cancer Patient Forum to facilitate a patient input to the development of the National Cancer Strategy and to inform the work of the Steering Group. A representative of the Forum will sit as a member on the Steering Group.

As per my letter sent to you on the 8 May, the Cancer Patient Forum will comprise of the following representatives:

The Irish Cancer Society, Purple House Cancer Support, Cancer Care West, EuropaDonna Ireland, Marie Keating Foundation, ARC Cancer Support, a screening participant, Donegal Action for Cancer Care, Cooperating for Cancer Care North West, Men's Cancer Alliance, CanTeen Ireland, Barretstown and Patient Focus.

The intention is that one member of the Patient Forum will sit on the Steering Group, to facilitate direct patient input to the development of recommendations. The Patient Forum had a very well received first meeting on 29 April, at which they were asked to consider a nominee to sit on the Steering Group and revert to the Department.

All interested parties including members of the public will be invited to make submissions. I hope and expect that there will be dozens if not hundreds. Unfortunately, it will not be possible for me to meet any individuals or groups about their submissions as it would compromise the outcome of the process if I were to meet some but not others and it would be impossible for me to meet all.