Minister confirms funding for Tipperary Community Cancer Support Services

Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, has confirmed Budget 2025 funding for Tipperary as part of the National Cancer Strategy.

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 and Service nationally.

CARE Cancer Support Centre, Circle of Friends Cancer Support, Suaimhneas Cancer Support Centre, and Suir Haven Cancer Support Centre are members of the Alliance and will receive funding during 2025.

Minister Donnelly said: "I'm pleased to allocate €5.5 million in Budget 2025 for the NCCP Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres and Services. Centres like CARE Cancer Support, Circle of Friends, Suaimhneas, and Suir Haven in Tipperary provide vital services for cancer patients in communities throughout Ireland, both adults and children. They do tremendous work to ensure that national survivorship programmes are available all across Ireland. This government places great value on the dedication of the staff and volunteers who make these centres possible.

"I was pleased as Minister for Health to allocate once-off state funding to our community support service for the first time in 2024. This year’s allocation of €5.5 million represents an increase in this funding in 2025 and it will become permanent, annual funding."

The total 2025 cancer funding of €41 million includes:

• 179 additional staff to be recruited to national cancer screening and treatment services, to continue to improve access and outcomes for cancer patients under the National Cancer Strategy
• €4.8 million for expansion of BreastCheck programme, and for the expansion of eligibility for the BowelScreen programme from 59-69 year olds to 58-70 year olds
• €10.1 million across cancer control activities, cancer treatments and the Hereditary Cancer Model of Care to improve patient access and expand access to new treatments. This includes specialised radiology posts and advanced practice radiation therapy posts
• €0.7 million for expansion of acute oncology/haematology nursing service to help cancer patients avoid unnecessary Emergency Department (ED) attendance
• €2 million for post-mastectomy products in the community
• €5.5 million to be allocated to the Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres and Services

The National Cancer Strategy aims to transform cancer control services, across prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and quality of life, with a focus on improving outcomes for cancer patients.