Cancer patients deserve clarity on funding – Kelly
Cancer patients deserve clarity on funding – Kelly - The Labour Party
Labour TD Alan Kelly has called on the Health Minister to immediately clarify how much funding cancer care and cancer services is getting in Budget 2026.
Deputy Kelly said:
“The Budget has been very short on any detail in relation to cancer care funding and it’s worrying. Why the delay? As things stand today, there is no confirmed allocation for funding towards the National Cancer Strategy, and the role of the National Cancer Control Programme is now unclear. There are more questions than answers, and the Minister needs to provide those answers promptly.
“We are also entering the final year of the National Cancer Strategy – the majority of which has not been implemented – and the Minister has now signalled a shift in terms of the allocation mode.
“Can the Minister urgently explain what does this mean for cancer care across the regions? Is the Government changing how the national cancer strategy works in its final year? Who will have ownership and responsibility over strategic issues and outcomes when it comes to the cancer specialty?
“The rate of cancer survival in Ireland, though improved, is still not keeping pace with best-performing countries.
“In 2000, 1 in 2 people survived cancer in both Ireland and Denmark. Now, Denmark’s cancer survival rate is 71%, while ours is at 65%. This is no doubt related to the fact that successive Governments have under-funded the National Cancer Strategy, and have not priorotised enough infrastructure in cancer care.
“Cancer patients don’t need a McDonalds Budget – they need clarity and certainty. I’m calling on the Minister to show some leadership without delay and to clarify how much funding will be allocated to the Cancer Strategy and explain bow it will be funded too. It’s time to be factual and talk straight. It’s the least that vulnerable cancer patients deserve.”