Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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165. To ask the Minister for Health if he is taking action or implementing measures to tackle statistics outlined in the recent National Cancer Registry of Ireland report into cancer rates in Cobh, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15161/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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There is no newly published report setting out higher rates of cancer in the Cobh area. The National Cancer Registry is the statutory agency with responsibility for the collection and analysis of data relating to number of cancer cases. Analysis conducted by the Registry for the periods 1994-2007 and 2004-2013 indicated that Cobh Urban Electoral District had a higher cancer incidence rate than the national rate.

Cancer incidence is reported as average figures and there will always be local variations above and below the average. This is particularly true when looking at a small population area, such as Cobh, relative to the national population.

My Department is currently developing a new National Cancer Strategy 2016 - 2025 which is likely to focus on prevention, early diagnosis, further improvements in treatment, rare cancers, survivorship and high quality, patient-centred care. This Strategy will be published in the coming months.