Vol. 557 No. 6
40 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on a recent statement from his Department that too many parliamentary questions have been responsible for delaying the start of the cancer strategy. [22809/02]
I would like to clarify for the House that my Department did not issue a statement along the lines suggested by the Deputy. In common with all Departments, my Department produces an annual business plan. The plan for the acute hospitals division, which has responsibility for cancer services, drew attention to the heavy demands placed on it in supporting me to discharge my parliamentary duties. Given our system of public accountability, this work must and does receive priority.
The relevant staff in my Department are also heavily involved as members or in support of the national cancer forum. The forum, in conjunction with my Department, is preparing a new national cancer strategy. The new strategy will set out the key areas to be targeted for the development of cancer services over the next seven years and will make recommendations in relation to the organisation and structure of cancer services nationally. This will have regard to existing policies in the areas of symptomatic breast disease and palliative care and the forthcoming recommendations of the expert review group on radiotherapy services.
