James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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129. To ask the Minister for Health the funding being provided for the restoration of cancer services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33568/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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A sum of €12m has been allocated as part of Budget 2021 for the restoration of cancer services, with a further €2.3m committed to as part of the Winter Plan.

Due to the need for physical distancing and related infection prevention and control measures, capacity across many cancer services has been reduced. The funding provided for the restoration of cancer services will support Increased staffing and expanded clinic capacity across diagnostics, surgery and medical oncology. It will also facilitate the continued operation of the Together 4 Cancer Concern initiative, a collaboration between the National Cancer Control Programme, the Irish Cancer Society and Cancer Care West, to deliver the support services cancer patients.

On top of this, €20m is being provided for the further implementation of the National Cancer Strategy in 2021.