8. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Health the waiting periods faced by people in counties Cavan and Monaghan to access cancer treatment, by number waiting and length of time; and the longest period a person waited for treatment in 2025. [5034/26]

Sentiment score: -0.21

I ask the Minister to set out the waiting times faced by people in Cavan and Monaghan to access cancer treatment, and to do so on the basis of the number of people waiting and the length of time for which they have been waiting. What was the longest period a person waited for treatment in 2025?

Sentiment score: -0.31

As we discussed earlier, the stress and anxiety that a cancer diagnosis can cause a person and their family is almost like no other. The fear and worry it can spread is excruciating. In Ireland, we are fortunate to have highly trained and passionate healthcare workers. We know that once people get into the system, they receive world-class care. Delayed treatment of cancer yields mortality. That simply is not acceptable. What timeline will the Minister commit to so that all cancer patients will receive the treatment they need when they need it? There have been numerous cases in Monaghan and Cavan where patients have been left in Cavan General Hospital for three or four weeks after getting a diagnosis without being transferred to Beaumont Hospital or the Mater Hospital. As we discussed earlier, it is about beds. Free up the beds in Cavan and move on the patients. They need the treatment and they need it urgently. I am asking the Minister today if she will give me a timeframe for patients to be moved on to receive their cancer treatment.

Sentiment score: -0.18

Yes.

Sentiment score: 0.40

The problem is that Fine Gael outlined the White Paper, The Path to Universal Healthcare, more than ten years ago. It was supposed to be completely implemented by 2019. The Minister announced a policy of the same name, with Sláintecare 2025+ tacked on, only last May. In a lot of ways, the Minister is still waiting to deliver the plan that was announced in 2014 and due for completion in 2019. Only two months ago, after the Minister's announcement, the Irish Cancer Society sounded the alarm that cancer delays are causing unavoidable deaths. Therefore, I ask the Minister today if she accepts that these waiting times are unacceptable. Does she accept that cancer delays are causing unavoidable deaths? Could we do more to improve that service?

Sentiment score: -0.15

But-----

Sentiment score: 0.00

I am just asking for action.

Sentiment score: 0.00