Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 September 2022
236. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a report published by an organisation (details supplied); if he has considered the recommendations made in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47372/22]
View answerThis question refers to research conducted on behalf of the Irish Cancer Society in relation to the experience of people affected by cancer when accessing financial products and services. The report makes reference to health insurance which is under my responsibility, however due to the community-rated nature of the Irish health insurance market people will not be adversely affected by a history of cancer when purchasing or renewing health insurance. While other types of insurance do not fall under the remit of the Department of Health, I have been advised neither the Minister for Finance, nor the Central Bank of Ireland, can intervene in the provision or pricing of insurance products. This position is reinforced by the EU framework for insurance (the Solvency II Directive). My Department, in conjunction with the HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme and voluntary groups such as the Irish Cancer Society, continues to work to improve outcomes for patients through the ongoing implementation of the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026. Ireland is very supportive of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, which closely mirrors the goals of Ireland’s National Cancer Strategy to reduce the cancer burden, provide optimal care, maximise patient involvement and quality of life, and enable and assure change. Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan includes an initiative for 2021-2023 to “Address fair access for cancer survivors to financial services (including insurance), via a code of conduct and a reflection on long-term solutions”. This work is being undertaken through the EU Steering Group on Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Management of Non-Communicable Diseases (SGPP) Subgroup on Cancer, which includes representation from Ireland. The Department of Health will closely monitor any developments at the SGPP Subgroup on Cancer regarding this issue, and will liaise with other Government departments as required. The Irish Cancer Society Report also calls for the Government to ensure additional capacity, resources and funding for the National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI). The Department of Health continues to engage closely with the NCRI to ensure it has the resources to effectively address its core functions, while expanding the cancer patient data it collects and ensuring a focus on increasing and optimising the uses of available data to drive improvements in cancer care for patients, as recommended in the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026. Through the continued implementation of the National Cancer Strategy and by working together, with EU Member States, the European Commission and cancer organisations across the EU, we can achieve the aims of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, to the ultimate benefit of patients and their families.
