Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

2434. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he will take for critically ill patients to ensure that their treatment is not interrupted (details supplied). [29609/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The National Action Plan on Covid-19 identified the continued provision of cancer care as a priority.

Performance at the end of 2020 is as follows:

- Attendances at Rapid Access Clinics in 2020 was at 88% of 2019 activity;

- Radiation Oncology in 2020 was at 93% of 2019 activity;

- Medical Oncology in 2020 was at 90% of 2019 activity; and

- Surgical Oncology (excluding private hospital activity) in 2020 was at 82% of 2019 activity.

While the ransomware attack in May this year has had an impact on cancer services, every effort is being made to maintain services at present, with a particular focus on urgent and time-sensitive cases.

Funding of €12m was allocated this year for the restoration of cancer services to 95% of 2019 (pre-Covid) levels. In addition, as part of Budget 2021, an extra €20m was allocated for the continued implementation of the National Cancer Strategy.