I thank Deputy Burke for raising this very important issue. The Government is committed to improving cancer care, ensuring better prevention and maintaining improvements in cancer survival rates and timely access to treatments. The availability of appropriate, fit-for-purpose facilities and equipment is critical to the safe and timely delivery of cancer care. Since the launch of the national cancer strategy in 2017, the Government has allocated €105 million to support cancer services and improve outcomes for patients. Under the national cancer strategy and the recommendations of the national plan for radiation oncology, two state-of-the-art radiation oncology centres have opened in Cork and Galway, in 2019 and 2023 respectively, representing a €120 million capital investment. Expansion and equipment replacement programmes are progressing across Ireland's public radiation oncology network. Deputy Burke spoke about the phased expansion that is under way. This is at Beaumont Hospital, where formal tender documents have already been issued to advance the project. A dedicated equipment replacement programme is also active across the St. Luke's Radiation Oncology Network to upgrade essential linear accelerators. On a national scale, the Department of Health and the HSE are actively developing a strategic infrastructure programme to systematically plan for the future replacement and expansion of radiation therapy equipment at all public facilities. To progress this strategic initiative, formal engagement between the Department and relevant stakeholders is scheduled to begin on 12 June 2026, which is in two days' time. Centralised planning for this programme and subsequent oversight in its implementation will enable cost-effective procurement and efficient delivery of enabling works. The programme will also align with the national cancer strategy and Sláintecare, supporting sustainable, high-quality radiotherapy services nationwide. As advised by the HSE, replacement of equipment takes into account not only age but also performance linked to use and ongoing maintenance regimes - end of life and end of support, as designed by the manufacturer - and the availability of spare parts. This is a critical consideration in replacing radiation oncology equipment. As such, the replacement of this equipment in the St. Luke's Radiation Oncology Network in Dublin is a priority. The majority of radiation oncology services in Ireland met or exceeded the KPI targets across 2025, with the exception of the St. Luke's Radiation Oncology Network which performed below target across the year. As I have previously stated, an equipment replacement programme is in place to address this issue. In November 2025, the Department of Health's sectoral plan for 2026 to 2030 was launched under the national development plan. The sectoral plan sets out infrastructure investment priorities for the next five years, building on a strong track record of delivery to support the provision of equitable, accessible and high-quality healthcare across Ireland. A key strategic priority under the sectoral plan is continued investment in cancer care, including radiation oncology. I welcome this opportunity to discuss equipment replacement and expansion. The Government recognises the importance of the timely replacement of equipment as its effectiveness decreases.

Sentiment score: 0.15

I thank Deputy Burke. As he said, this is a serious issue. I know the Government is committed and I will certainly bring it back to the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. Ensuring better prevention, maintaining improvements in cancer survival rates and timely access to treatment are priorities for the Government. Access to state-of-the-art and fit-for-purpose facilities and equipment is fundamental to the safe and timely delivery of such care. Deputy Burke is right that timely delivery is so important. He spoke about the machines that have broken down. As I have previously set out, a replacement programme for radiation therapy equipment is under way across St. Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network in Dublin, funded under the HSE's capital plan for 2026. The replacement programme will conclude in 2030. To address future radiotherapy equipment replacement, the Department of Health and the HSE are developing a strategic infrastructure programme to plan for the replacement and expansion of radiotherapy equipment at public radiation oncology facilities. Engagement between the Department and relevant stakeholders will begin this week to advance this work. I assure the Deputy this will happen and I will definitely keep him updated, as that is important. Under the current strategic plan, direct investment of €120 million has been made in state-of-the-art radiation oncology centres in Cork and Galway to address radiotherapy equipment needs. A key strategic priority under the Department's health sectoral plan for 2026 to 2030 is the continued investment in cancer care, including radiation oncology. The plan will also progress national cancer infrastructure planning for oncology day wards, inpatient oncology, cancer diagnostics and outreach and community service delivery consistent with Sláintecare and the national cancer strategy. I again thank the Deputy for highlighting this matter. I will definitely go back to the Minister. As the Deputy said, timely care is so important. I assure him the Government is committed to that.

Sentiment score: 0.19

I thank the Deputy for raising this serious issue. I am taking it on behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for older people and housing, Deputy O'Donnell. Long-term residential care is a crucial part of our healthcare system. Across the country, our HSE community nursing units, CNUs, and community hospitals play a vital role in the provision of long-term care and other services. The Government is committed to continued investment in healthcare infrastructure which supports the highest quality care for our older people. This investment includes the community nursing unit capital programme, which was launched to ensure up to 90 of our public community nursing units and community hospitals would be refurbished or replaced to ensure the best-quality environments for our older people. The public private partnership, PPP, aspect of the CNU programme continues to progress and will deliver 528 beds in seven facilities across the country. The new CNU in Killarney is part of the PPP project and will have 130 beds, with, as the Deputy said, 50 long-stay beds, 30 dementia-specific beds and 50-short stay beds. The CNU will provide a high-quality living environment which will be in line with all regulatory requirements. The HSE advised me it expects the new Killarney community nursing unit to open before the end of June. The HSE is still saying that. This only came to me yesterday. The opening is dependent on registration approval from HIQA, so the Deputy is right that this is what the HSE is waiting on. The HSE is engaging with HIQA regarding a small number of outstanding issues. The Deputy is right that this is about opening these units, which are critical. Once HIQA registration is granted, the HSE will set a date and move forward with the transfer of residents from St. Columbanus's Community Hospital and the district hospital to the new building. HSE South West has assured the Minister there is ongoing engagement with residents and their families ahead of the transfer, so there has been a lot of engagement. All current staff from both St. Columbanus's Community Hospital and Killarney Community Hospital will transfer to the new facility. I have been advised by the HSE that the recruitment campaigns are under way for the additional staff required to extend occupancy to the full 130-bed capacity. I am aware - this is what the Deputy spoke about - that the INMO served notice of industrial action last Friday in relation to staffing levels at the newly built Killarney community nursing unit. The HSE has advised there has been active dialogue by way of weekly meetings with unions over the last two months. The HSE advised that much has been agreed and some further engagements regarding staff rosters are in the final stages. The HSE is, therefore, in the final stages of this process and there has been a lot of communication. The HSE will meet the INMO again tomorrow. The HSE hopes an agreement can be reached on the remaining outstanding issues at this meeting. I thank the staff and representative bodies for their continued engagement. We know the excellent work they do. HSE South West will continue to engage with residents, their families, staff and the wider community on all updates about the opening of the new Killarney community nursing unit. The opening of the new unit is an absolute priority for me, the Minister and Ministers of State and the Department of Health. I have no doubt this state-of-the-art CNU will enhance the lives of older people in Killarney and surrounding areas for many years to come by providing the highest quality health and social care services. I look forward to seeing it officially opened. I am sure the Deputy will be at the opening. He is right that this is important. It is about everybody working together to get the unit opened.

Sentiment score: 0.27

I thank the Deputy for highlighting this matter. The opening at the end of June is a priority for him. I reiterate the older persons' service in Killarney and surrounding areas will be enhanced by the opening of the new state-of-the-art, 130-bed community nursing units. The new CNU in Killarney is part of the overall CNU programme, which will deliver seven public private partnership, PPP, projects and provide a complement of 130 beds, of which 50 will be long-stay beds, 30 will be dementia-specific beds and 50 will be short-stay beds. The HSE is engaging with HIQA on a small number of outstanding issues and expects the new Killarney community nursing unit to be open before the end of June. It is waiting on HIQA registration. I welcome the ongoing engagement taking place again tomorrow. I hope the outstanding issues can be resolved. I thank the staff and representative bodies for their continued engagement. The opening of the new CNU in Killarney is an absolute priority for the Department of Health and the HSE. I am working with the Ministers and committed to ensuring residents can move into their new home without delay.

Sentiment score: 0.36