Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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302. To ask the Minister for Health if she will ensure that at least €20 million in new recurrent development funding is provided in 2026 and in each subsequent year for the National Cancer Control Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40126/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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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. Decisions on the funding of cancer services are being made in the context of the Estimates process for 2026.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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303. To ask the Minister for Health if she will ensure that adequate investment is made in the National Cancer Strategy to enable target waiting times for cancer tests to be met; the proposals there are to expand screening as planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40127/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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There are nine HSE rapid access Symptomatic Breast Disease clinics nationally. The HSE has set a target of 95% of urgent referrals being seen within 10 working days. Non-urgent referrals should be seen within 12 weeks.

The HSE National Cancer Control Programme monitors the performance of these clinics. Last year national compliance with targets was 76% for both urgent and non-urgent referrals. While five centres generally met or exceeded the targets during the year, four did not. This is often caused by staff shortages or problems in accessing diagnostics or radiology services.

These clinics consistently operate at full capacity. Unfortunately, any disruption to services can lead to a backlog which can take time to clear. Where a performance issue arises the HSE implements site-specific measures. These can include funding additional clinics or providing locum cover where necessary.

The National Cancer Control Programme is also developing new or modified pathways for certain patient cohorts. These aim to make better use of available capacity and to provide appropriate access for high risk patients such as those with a family history of breast cancer. My Department is also reviewing diagnostic services to ensure that capacity is fully maximised.

As Minister for Health, I am intent on advancing the cancer screening commitments outlined in the Programme for Government, including those related to expanding the BowelScreen and BreastCheck programmes. However, the consideration of any such changes will be facilitated through established evidence-driven protocols.

The National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) is the independent expert group that considers proposed changes to Ireland’s screening programmes. NSAC assesses the evidence in a robust and transparent manner, and against internationally accepted criteria, before making recommendations to myself, as Minister. The rigorous processes utilised by NSAC are critical to ensure that our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards, and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.

In this regard, I am pleased to report that NSAC has submitted requests to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), to consider the evidence for further expansions to both the BreastCheck and BowelScreen programmes.

HIQA is currently focused on a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) process to examine a proposed expansion of the age range eligibility for the BowelScreen programme to those aged 50-54 years. Work on this is at an advanced stage, with HIQA launching a public consultation process on their draft HTA report on 7 July. A final report is expected to be submitted to NSAC for consideration at the end of 2025. The HTA on the expansion of BreastCheck remains a key priority for NSAC, and HIQA is expected to commence work on it shortly. The BreastCheck review will focus on two key elements: Consideration of the evidence in support of the expansion of the age range eligibility to those aged 45-49 and 70-74 (currently 50-69) and the potential introduction of a standardised breast density measurement.

HTAs facilitate the assessment of relevant evidence and knowledge on the effects and consequences of healthcare technologies to guide decisions regarding the appropriate use of technology and efficient allocation of resources. They involve a multidisciplinary assessment of the clinical, economic, ethical, legal and societal perspectives that may be impacted by the introduction of a new technology. They are time-intensive and rigorous processes.

I would like to emphasise that population-based screening programmes are for people without symptoms. If anyone becomes aware of symptoms, or if they have concerns or worries, they should contact their GP.

This Government's commitment to cancer services is reflected in significant investment, with funding of more than €105m provided for cancer services under the current National Cancer Strategy since 2017, including €23 million in 2025.