Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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199. To ask the Minister for Health the plans to enhance transport assistance for patients who require same to attend critical health appointments for treatments for cancer and other medical conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39612/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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There are two services, funded by the National Cancer Control Programme and administered by the Irish Cancer Society, which offer financial supports towards travelling for cancer treatment.

The first of these services is the Travel2Care Scheme, which is a limited transportation assistance fund. This is available to patients travelling distances above 50km to a designated cancer centres, approved centre, 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 patients' 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 their website, cancer.ie, emailing travel@irishcancer.ie, or by calling 01 2316643 or 01 2310522 to request information. I am advised that the Irish Cancer Society is happy to receive requests outside the guidelines on an exceptional basis.

In 2024, I have also allocated €50,000 in funding to Cork Cancer Connect, including €25,000 capital funding and €25,000 in operational funding. Cork Cancer Connect offers transportation free of charge to patients travelling from Cork County to cancer appointments in Cork City.