Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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388. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure timely access to diagnostic tests as well as life-saving treatment for all cancer patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30778/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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We have seen significant progress on the implementation of the National Cancer Strategy in recent years, with clear evidence-based policy direction from my Department and strong implementation by the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP).

Since 2017, there has been an additional investment of €456 million in cancer services, including €81 million on cancer prevention, screening and treatment; €316 million on cancer medicines; and €59 million on cancer research grants through the Health Research Board. The Government has allocated substantial funding of €50 million for national cancer treatment and screening services over the years 2021 to 2023. In the same period, the Government has allocated additional €98 million for new medicines, facilitating the introduction of 61 new cancer medicines.

Capital funding of over €140m has been used to provide state of the art radiation oncology facilities in Galway and Cork, to establish a National Cervical Screening Laboratory, and to update cancer infrastructure in chemotherapy wards and lab facilities for the benefit of patients.

The funding since 2017 has enabled the recruitment of more than 670 staff to our national cancer services. This includes an additional 200 nursing staff, 100 consultants and 180 health and social care professionals in designated cancer centres.

New treatments such as CAR T-cell therapy, radiolabelled therapy, and specialised radiotherapy treatments like SABR are now available for the first time in Ireland.

Rapid Access Clinics (RACs) for breast, lung and prostate cancer have been established in each of the eight designated cancer centres (with a Symptomatic Breast Disease Clinic also in Letterkenny University Hospital as a satellite of University Hospital Galway). The Symptomatic Breast Disease and Rapid Access Lung and Prostate clinics provide access to diagnostics for suspected breast, lung, and prostate cancer. Rapid Access Clinics accept and receive referrals primarily from GPs, but also from clinicians within the hospital system. The performance of these RACs is measured against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) as defined in the HSE National Service Plan.

The Department of Health continues to monitor the performance of cancer services, including timely access to RACs and treatment, through monthly meetings with the NCCP.