Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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2480.To ask the Minister for Health the funding currently provided to community cancer support centres such as a centre (details supplied); if this will be reviewed to ensure there is core funding rather than relying on fundraising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33163/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 recognises cancer support centres as a valuable resource, providing access to support to cancer patients and their families outside of the acute care setting. The HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) works closely with a network of Community Cancer Support Centres, particularly in regard to the psycho-oncology model of care and the implementation of survivorship programmes for those living with and beyond cancer.

Community cancer support centres are voluntary and charity organisations delivering services directly to cancer patients and their families that emphasise the importance of quality of life during and after cancer treatment. These services can be availed of free of charge and in local communities. The NCCP Revised Best Practice Guidance for community cancer support centres was published in March 2022. The Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres was also established in 2022. The Alliance is a HSE initiative which aims to develop a collaborative framework for community-based cancer support centres and services. This programme promotes participation in capacity-building activities and communication and networking forums aimed at ensuring that community-based cancer support services are integrated.

The NCCP operates an activity-based funding model for organisations who have joined the NCCP Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres & Services.

In 2024, I allocated €3m on a once-off basis to the Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres.

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.

Funding for current expenditure, including cancer services, is allocated on an annual (single-year) basis through the Estimates process with future levels of funding considered as part of the national estimates and budgetary process.

As part of this question relates to a service matter, I have referred this part of the question to the HSE for direct reply as soon as possible.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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2481.To ask the Minister for Health if he will support the establishment of an all-island cancer research institute as discussed at the inaugural joint Euro-American forum on cancer and strongly endorsed by Irish and international clinicians and researchers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33164/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Much progress has been made in establishing links between health authorities in both jurisdictions to improve cancer services for people on the island of Ireland. I have supported opportunities for all-island co-operation in relation to cancer research and survivorship, particularly through the Ireland - Northern Ireland - NCI Cancer Consortium and through the work of the Health Research Board.

The Ireland - Northern Ireland - NCI Cancer Consortium (All-Island Cancer Consortium), originally established in 1999 following the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement is credited with saving lives and enhancing quality of life for many people living with and beyond cancer by supporting work on cancer clinical trials infrastructure and all-Ireland joint research projects, and providing upskilling and training opportunities for scientists, doctors, and allied health care professionals. The Consortium’s Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was renewed in 2021 and builds on previous successes by focussing on the following priority themes:

• Cancer care delivery and survivorship
• Clinical research
• Genomics and precision medicine

Ireland has entered into a number of key European partnerships and activities to help expand its clinical trial capacity. In 2018, the Government approved Ireland’s membership of the ECRIN-ERIC network (European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network - a European Research Infrastructure Consortium) to increase access for Irish patients to multi-national clinical trials. The Department of Health has also entered into the Horizon Europe Cancer Mission. Participation in each of these initiatives will support the expansion of resources required to improve Irish cancer research capacity.

In line with the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026, a National Cancer Research Group has been established. The Group aims to improve co-ordination and oversight of cancer research nationally and provide a forum for the agreement of research priorities. The Group also seeks to achieve continuity of funding and to ensure that funding allocations are linked to the agreed research priorities.

Officials in my Department engage with stakeholders in cancer research, including the All-Island Cancer Research Institute (AICRI), which is represented on the National Cancer Research Group along with my Department.