Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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1209. To ask the Minister for Health the steps being taken to increase the number of clinical trials, with a strong focus on cancer drugs. [24415/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The National Clincal Trials Oversight Group (NCTOG) was set up in July 2024 in order to investigate the challenges of undertaking clinical trials in Ireland, and to examine potential solutions to address these challenges. In October 2024, the NCTOG produced its interim recommendations in relation to advancing clinical trials in Ireland (). These were brought before cabinet in a Memorandum for Information which was noted by Government on 7th November 2024.

The NCTOG is well-placed to make recommendations that will have a transformative impact on the clinical trials landscape in Ireland, helping improve access to life-saving cutting-edge medicines and ultimately providing for better patient outcomes. This is of particular relevance in the case of medicines for various cancers, where participation in a clinical trial of investigational medicinal products could potentially be critical in terms of where other treatment options have been exhausted.

The NCTOG is currently in the process of drafting its final report, and I look forward to updating Government on the final recommendations in due course, in addition to working towards turning those recommendations into reality for the benefit of Irish society.

It should also be noted that my Department provides funding via the Health Research Board to advance cancer clinical trials in Ireland by funding eight Cancer Trials Groups and a National Cancer Clinical Trial Network. The current grants were made in 2021 with a total investment of €22.4 million to be made over a five-year period.