Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2024
624. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the amount of annual development funding specifically allocated to the National Cancer Strategy in each Government budget in each of the years since 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22844/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government has made significant investments of over €50 million into cancer treatment and screening services under the National Cancer Strategy since 2020. There has been over €300m in cumulative additional funding for cancer treatment services allocated to the Strategy since 2017. This funding has enabled the recruitment of more than 670 staff to our national cancer services since 2017, including an additional 200 nursing staff, 100 consultants, and 180 health and social care professionals in designated cancer centres. This means that our national cancer services have been strengthened, that more patients are receiving treatment, and that waiting times to access treatment are reduced.
There has been significant progress on the implementation of the Strategy over the past seven years, with clear evidence-based policy direction from my Department and strong implementation by the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP).
National Cancer Registry Ireland (NCRI) data shows substantial progress being made to control the four major cancers (prostate, breast, lung and colorectal), with mortality rates falling or stabilising for each. These comprise over half of all invasive tumours (not including rarely fatal nonmelanoma skin cancers).
The implementation of the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 is a Government priority and continued improvements in cancer services will be driven by both my Department and the NCCP. Priorities for 2024 will include the further centralisation of cancer services, which has a direct impact on positive outcomes for patients, and the implementation of models of care for areas such as medical oncology and psycho-oncology, which ensure continuity of care and support for cancer patients and their families.
New development funding allocated to the National Cancer Strategy for cancer treatment and screening services in each of the years since 2017 is outlined in the table below:
|
Year |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
Total |
|
New Development Funding Allocated |
€10.26m |
€4.96m |
€5.84m |
€4.75m |
€28m |
€20m |
€1.9m |
€75.71m |
