Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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597. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding travelling for cancer treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61946/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The model of care for hospital cancer treatment is centred on eight Designated Cancer Centres serving a defined population and geographic area. Cork University Hospital (CUH) is one of the eight Designated Cancer Centres. It provides cancer services predominantly to people who live in the counties of Cork, Kerry, South Tipperary, West Waterford, and South East Limerick.

The centralisation of specialist services into Designated Cancer Centres aims to optimise patient outcomes, through case volume, multidisciplinary working and infrastructural supports. Rapid Access Clinics providing diagnostic services for breast, lung and prostate tumours are located in CUH. It is also a centre for surgical oncology, medical oncology and radiation oncology.

I have been advised by the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) that there are two services administered by the Irish Cancer Society which offer financial supports towards travelling for cancer treatment.

The first of these services is the Travel2Care Scheme – a limited transportation assistance fund, funded by the NCCP. This is available to patients travelling to a designated cancer centre, approved centres, or an approved children’s hospital and will cover part of the associated costs for said travel.

The second scheme available aiding those travelling for cancer treatment is the Volunteer Driver Service. This is a volunteer delivered transport service wherein patients are driven to and from treatment in designated partner hospitals and centres. Drivers are interviewed, trained, Garda vetted and must attend annual Support & Supervision sessions run by the Irish Cancer Society to participate in the service.

The service is free to the patient, with all costs paid by the Irish Cancer Society, and applications are conducted by approaching a healthcare professional in a partnered hospital who will then discuss the suitability of it for the patient's needs and make a decision on referral. Once referred, the patient must book appointments in advance with the Irish Cancer Society to arrange transport.

Further information on both schemes can be obtained from the Irish Cancer Society, via cancer.ie, emailing travel@irishcancer.ie, or by calling 01 231 6643 / 01 231 0522 to request information.

I am advised that the Irish Cancer Society is happy to receive requests outside the guidelines on an exceptional basis.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for her question. A reply will issue to her representation in the coming days.