Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
1263. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will ring-fence multi-year funding dedicated to implementing all outstanding recommendations from the National Cancer Strategy to 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28250/23]
View answerSuccessive National Cancer Strategies have delivered continuing improvements in outcomes for Irish cancer patients in terms of earlier diagnosis, better treatment, and improved rates of survival. The continued implementation of the National Cancer Strategy remains a priority for Government. The total allocation for cancer services in Budget 2023 is €137 million, which represents a significant incremental increase since the publication of the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026.
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.
There is no multi-annual funding for current expenditure. However, I am aware that there has been a discussion paper published by the Department of Public Expenditure that highlights the benefits of introducing multi annual funding and discusses the possible future introduction of it for the Garda Síochána vote.
I acknowledge that there are potential benefits of introducing multi-annual funding to improve planning over a multi annual horizon on a more structured/sustainable timeframe than a single year. However, there currently exist a range of legislative barriers to the introduction of such a funding mechanism for current expenditure on health services.
The position is different in relation to capital expenditure where the National Development Plan sets out the longer-term investment plan over multiple years.
