Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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386. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure that adequate funding is provided in 2025 to implement the National Cancer Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30776/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has invested heavily in the National Cancer Strategy and associated initiatives in recent years, enabling the further development of our national cancer services, and leading to improved outcomes for cancer patients.

As Minister for Health, I have supported the National Cancer Strategy with substantial funding of €50m for cancer treatment and screening services. Since 2017, there has been additional (new development) investment of €456m in cancer services, including €81m on cancer prevention, screening, and treatment; €316m on cancer medicines; and €59m on cancer research grants through the Health Research Board.

This funding has enabled the recruitment of more than 670 staff to our national cancer services since 2017, including an additional 200 nursing staff, 100 consultants, and 180 health and social care professionals in designated cancer centres. This means that our national cancer services have been strengthened, that more patients are receiving treatment, and that waiting times to access treatment are reduced.

We have seen significant progress on the implementation of the Strategy over the past seven years, with clear evidence-based policy direction from my Department and strong implementation by the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP).

National Cancer Registry Ireland (NCRI) data shows substantial progress being made to control the four major cancers (prostate, breast, lung and colorectal), with mortality rates falling or stabilising for each. These comprise over half of all invasive tumours (not including rarely fatal non-melanoma skin cancers).

The implementation of the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 is a Government priority and continued improvements in cancer services will be driven by both my Department and the NCCP. Priorities for 2024 will include the further centralisation of cancer services which has a direct impact on positive outcomes for patients, and the implementation of models of care for areas such as medical oncology and psycho-oncology, which ensure continuity of care and support for cancer patients and their families.

As with all areas, funding for the National Cancer Strategy, is considered as part of the yearly Estimates process. Decisions on future funding of the National Cancer Strategy will be made in the context of the upcoming Estimates process for 2025.