Fianna Fáil Councillor and General Election Candidate, Teresa Costello has said the announcement that the €33 million investment to provide more and better cancer services, which includes a fully funded National Cancer Strategy will be a gamechanger for many people and their families across the country. Cllr Costello, who herself has braved the battle of having breast cancer a few years ago, has been a big advocate for women’s healthcare. She has said she has already felt the benefit of the investments made into healthcare by Minister Stephen Donnelly and the Department of Health.
“Recently, I attended my annual mammogram in St James’ hospital. I have to say the whole process was so quick and effective, I was in and out. Hearing the news of the National Cancer Strategy being fully funded, has me absolutely elated, and it is a progressive step forward for anyone in this country that is affected by cancer.”
Under Fianna Fáil, we are investing heavily year on year, budget by budget, and putting significant funding into cancer care. €33 million towards cancer care will allow the National Cancer Strategy to be fully funded, as part of an overall record health budget of €25.8 billion for health services in 2025.
One area in particular that has been and will continue to be invested in is breast cancer screening, which is something Cllr Costello has been a passionate advocate of.
“As somebody with firsthand experience of cancer, I understand and appreciate how important funding is. Having faced cancer, I understand this funding is essential to ensure smooth delivery of the services. “My advocacy work especially in relation to lowering the screening age for breast cancer, has led to ongoing conversations with my party colleague and Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly. It’s fantastic to see my own party and colleague at the forefront of this constant commitment to better healthcare.
“My conversations with Minister Donnelly have been productive, and his priority is to make health services for all patients as effective as possible, and I certainly felt the benefits of that attending my latest mammogram recently.”
