Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
1096. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with the 19 representative bodies representing community care cancer support services to discuss the ongoing issues they have raised with him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35601/23]
View answer1101. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide sustainable funding to an organisation (details supplied), as the funding is vital to ensure the viability of these centres, which are recognised as having a significant role in the patient pathway of cancer patients in the HSE National Service Plan 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35625/23]
View answer1129. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of correspondence from an organisation (details supplied) requesting a meeting with him to discuss the urgent need for core Government funding for community cancer support centres; if he will organise this meeting as requested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35810/23]
View answer1163. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if he has received correspondence from an organisation (details supplied); and if he intends to engage with the organisation in order to discuss funding of services. [35910/23]
View answer1294. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with an organisation, further to correspondence on 7 July 2023 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36480/23]
View answer1316. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the concerns raised by an organisation (details supplied) regarding to a lack of sustainable funding for the sector; and if he would consider meeting with the group to discuss said concerns. [36504/23]
View answer1317. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the introduction of multi-annual funding for community cancer support centres and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36505/23]
View answer1335. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health whether it is intended to provide core funding for the 19 community cancer support centres to allow them to continue to provide vital supports and services to cancer patients and their families nationally. [36591/23]
View answer1336. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he has received representation from an organisation (details supplied) for adequate sustainable base funding for its vital community services throughout the country; if he will ensure that a minimum of €10 million is provided annually to ensure the survival of these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36592/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1096, 1101, 1129, 1163, 1294, 1316, 1317, 1335 and 1336 together.
The National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 recognises cancer support centres as a valuable resource, providing access to support to cancer patients and their families outside of the acute care setting. The HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) works closely with a network of Community Cancer Support Centres, particularly in regard to the psycho-oncology model of care and the implementation of survivorship programmes for those living with and beyond cancer.
Community cancer support centres are voluntary and charity organisations delivering services directly to cancer patients and their families that emphasise the importance of quality of life during and after cancer treatment. These services can be availed of free of charge and in local communities. The NCCP Revised Best Practice Guidance for community cancer support centres was published in March 2022. The Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres was also established in 2022. The Alliance is a HSE initiative which aims to develop a collaborative framework for community-based cancer support centres and services. This programme promotes participation in capacity-building activities and communication and networking forums aimed at ensuring that community-based cancer support services are integrated.
The NCCP operates an activity-based funding model for organisations who have joined the NCCP Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres & Services. 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 2024. Representative bodies have submitted a request to meet to my office. As with all requests submitted to my office, my officials will consider the appropriateness of meeting with them, and I will revert to the requesters after considering the many competing demands on my diary.
