In April 2023 a location to serve the long-term oncology needs of University Hospital Kerry was identified within the grounds of the current hospital. The HSE had decided to pursue a more substantial, permanent proposal of a day treatment ward, an outpatient ward and a haematology unit. A revised brief and schedule of accommodation were provided in September 2023, costing was identified and a stage 1 report was issued in August 2024. It was supposed to be prioritised; however, nothing has happened since. People in Kerry are waiting and waiting for this. I am not sure what has happened. There is a huge demand for beds in the same hospital. Because of the demand for beds, has this oncology unit been pushed to one side? I do not know. We deserve the same oncology services as any other county and as any other citizens. It is not fair. Geography deciding your chances and your timely treatment is not acceptable to us. I want to raise one more issue with the Minister of State and that is medical cards for people who have cancer. I have been dealing recently with a woman who lost her husband in tragic circumstances. She subsequently developed cancer. She has had to have 17 rounds of radiotherapy, and in the middle of all that stress and all that anxiety and dealing with her issue, she applied for a medical card but was told she was over the means test threshold. Surely, however, that is a circumstance where discretion should be applied. It is not being applied, and I ask the Minister of State to look into that. It is totally unfair.

Sentiment score: -0.13