Hospital Equipment
Dail Éireann — 2026-06-10
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Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (FF), Carlow-Kilkenny

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.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-06-10/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-28T05:50:47+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-10