Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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283. To ask the Minister for Health the progress on implementation of the radiation therapy advanced practice pilot programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15917/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Health is developing the Policy on Advanced Practice in Health and Social Care Professions. The development of an evidence-based policy is progressing, with work underway by officials in the Department of Health, in collaboration with the Health Service Executive (HSE) National Health and Social Care Professions (HSCP) office.

HSCP Advanced Practice involves the creation of advanced roles for health and social care professionals, including radiation therapists, enabling them to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care. The HSE National HSCP Office published the HSCP Advanced Practice Framework in 2023 and is committed to enhancing healthcare delivery by developing HSCP Advanced Practice services through the application of this framework. The HSE has established a multi-stakeholder Advanced Practice Implementation Oversight Group focused on drivers to the development of HSCP Advanced Practice services.

An independent review of the radiation therapist profession was agreed between the HSE, the Department of Health and SIPTU, under the auspices of the WRC. The independent review of the radiation therapist profession has been finalised. This strategic review considered important issues such as organisation structure, career development in line with Health and Social Care Professional Frameworks, strategic workforce planning and recruitment and retention strategies.

This review has published 16 recommendations which aim to help and support the radiation therapy profession into the future. As the terms of reference for the review state, the implementation of any recommendations from the review will remain subject to the approval from the Departments of Health and Public Expenditure and Reform.

While the implementation of any recommendations from the review will remain subject to the approval from the Departments of Health and Public Expenditure and Reform, funding for six Advanced Practice posts for radiation therapy was allocated to implement one of the recommendations in line with the Policy being developed on Advanced Practice in Health and Social Care Professions in 2025.

Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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284. To ask the Minister for Health the number of people currently waiting to attend each radiation oncology unit in Ireland, by waiting time period, in tabular form (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15918/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have forwarded your query to the HSE and asked that they respond to you directly, as soon as possible.

Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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285. To ask the Minister for Health the steps that need to be finalised to fund clinical practice tutors for radiation therapists to expand the number of training places for radiation therapy at Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15919/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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There are currently 40 radiation therapy student places available annually across Trinity College Dublin and University College, Cork.

All HSCP educational programmes require a combination of academic teaching and clinical practice placements. The Department of Health is engaging with the HSE National Office for HSCPs regarding the provision of clinical placements to support expansion of student training places across these universities.

Practice education placements are essential to support clinical skills development and the application of theory to patient care and attainment of regulatory required standards of proficiency where applicable. It is acknowledged that building and growing the student pipeline is dependent on having an appropriate practice education placement infrastructure, including physical accommodation and the appropriate staffing.

My department is supporting the HSE to implement the clinical infrastructure to support the practice education of undergraduate HSCP students. In budget 2024 €1m in funding was provided to the HSE to support the provision of clinical placements for HSCPs through 10 WTE funded posts. Budget 2025 also provided for €1 million to ensure the availability of clinical placements to support the expansion of student training places across radiation therapy and HSCP disciplines.

Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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286. To ask the Minister for Health the expected number of radiation therapy graduates in 2025; the number of relevant posts available for such graduates within the hospital setting upon graduation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15920/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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At the end of February 2025, HSE employment levels show there were 220 WTE Radiation Therapists directly employed by the HSE and Section 38 hospitals and agencies.

There are currently 40 radiation therapy student places available annually across Trinity College Dublin and University College, Cork.

The most recent validated graduate numbers from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is from 2023, where 32 students graduated from radiation therapy courses.

The retention of HSCP graduates across the health service is a key action as part of the HSE approach to optimise resourcing needs. Notification of this retention initiative was launched by the HSE on the 20th of March 2025 to ensure early engagement with final year HSCP students who will graduate in the Autumn of 2025. This initiative relates to 10 named HSCP professions, one of which is Radiation Therapist.

These offers of employment will be to funded vacancies in line with the WTE limits. Offers will be made in line with standard recruitment procedures. Whilst the intention is to facilitate as reasonably practicable the employment preferences of the graduates, it must be noted that this may not offer graduates a role in their first choice of location.

Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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287. To ask the Minister for Health the last time the staffing model for radiation therapists was updated; if there are plans to review the current staffing model; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15921/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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288. To ask the Minister for Health the date at which the National Cancer Strategy 2024 implementation report will be made public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15922/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The implementation of the National Cancer Strategy is a Programme for Government commitment and is part of the implementation of Sláintecare. We have seen significant progress on the implementation of the Strategy over the past eight years, with clear evidence-based policy direction from my Department and strong implementation by the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP).

The National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 Implementation Report 2024 is currently being prepared, and it is expected that this Report will be published in Q2, 2025.

Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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289. To ask the Minister for Health the funding provided to the lymphoedema model of care to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15923/25]

Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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290. To ask the Minister for Health her plans to expand community lymphoedema and lipoedema services in cancer centres of excellence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15924/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.