Wicklow Cancer Supports Share In €5.5m Funding

Donnelly with Purple House’s Conor O’Leary OCT24

atest press release from Minister Stephen Donnelly, issued on Monday, October 14th 2024…

Wicklow TD and Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has today confirmed Budget 2025 funding for Wicklow as part of the National Cancer Strategy.

Minister Donnelly made the announcement during a visit to Purple House Cancer Support Centre in Bray.

Budget 2025 contains new investment in cancer services nationally of €41 million, including a €5.5 million allocation to the Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres and Services nationally.

Purple House in Bray, Greystones Cancer Support and Arklow Cancer Support Group are members of the Alliance and will receive funding during 2025.

Minister Donnelly said: “I was pleased as Minister for Health to allocate once off state funding to our community cancer support services for the first time in 2024. I can now confirm that there will be an increase in this funding in 2025 and it will become permanent, annual funding.

“As Minister for Health and a local TD for Wicklow I have been really impressed with the work the community services do in Bray, Greystones and Arklow and I am delighted to be able to announce these groups will now get guaranteed annual state funding. My Department and the National Cancer Control Programme will work with these centres on their allocations for 2025.”

Funding will also be available for other community cancer support groups around Wicklow who will be contacted by the HSE in the coming weeks.

Minister Donnelly added: “I’m aware of the great community supports by more groups in Wicklow for our cancer patients and cancer survivors. Wicklow Town Cancer Support, West Wicklow Cancer Support, Rathdrum Cancer Support and Roundwood Cancer Support have been doing superb work, so I’ve asked my Department to ensure these groups are also considered for some funding in 2025.”

Wicklow cancer patients will also benefit from a range of new investments in cancer services in 2025 as investment in the cancer strategy has now exceeded €250 million euro.

Minister Donnelly said: “Our investment in 2025 will bring to 840 staff recruited for cancer treatment and screening services. We continue to invest in new cancer medicines, expanding BreastCheck and BowelScreen and a new nursing service that allows cancer patients in Wicklow and around the country to avoid unnecessary emergency department attendance when something goes wrong.

We have seen major improvements in survival rates for cancer patients in Wicklow and nationally. In 2017 we had 150,000 people in Ireland living after a cancer diagnosis; today we have over 215,000.

“That’s a 43% increase and the Budget 2025 investment will continue to strengthen our cancer services, make new treatments available for patients, and ensure that critical supports are provided for patients and their families.”