Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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249. To ask the Minister for Health the steps she will take to create an overarching framework for cross-Border cancer care that would ensure that citizens on both side of the Border can get timely local cancer care (details supplied). [39883/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Cancer care in Ireland is delivered through 8 centres with Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) provided throughout 26 hospitals.

The National Cancer Strategy in Ireland aims to ensure that all patients have equitable access to high-quality cancer care, regardless of their location or socioeconomic background. This involves addressing inequalities in screening uptake, diagnosis, treatment, and support services. The strategy focuses on person-centred care, recognizing that different individuals may require tailored approaches to achieve equitable outcomes.

There is already considerable cross border engagement on cancer services and clinical research and my department supports this through the North West Cancer Centre where patients within 90 minutes road journey from Derry can access radiotherapy from Altnagelvin Hospital, providing safe, specialist care as close to patients homes as possible.

Our Programme for Government makes a commitment to: "Deepen collaboration between the healthcare systems on the island, building on the model and success of the all-island paediatric cardiac service into other bespoke all-island services."

I have engaged with Minister Nesbitt through the North South Ministerial Council and other fora on a number of health issues including cancer services. While there is work to still be done to improve cross border care, it remains a priority for this Government.