Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, has announced funding is on the way to two vital charities for cancer patients in Donegal – Cancer Care West Donegal, and Donegal Cancer Flights & Services.
The services are members of the Alliance of Community Cancer Support and Servics, which has been allocated €5.5 million in Budget 2025.
The allocation comes amid serious concerns that the passenger cap at Dublin Airport could affect the regional service at Carrickfinn Airport.
The Donegal – Dublin flights are used by 430 cancer patients who are supported by the Donegal Cancer Flights & Services charity.
Raising patients’ concerns in the Dáil last week, Deputy Pearse Doherty from Sinn Féin said the passenger cap should not apply to a public service obligation service that is relied on for health travel and tourism.
Deputy Doherty pointed out that airline operating the service has been told it has to reduce its passenger numbers by 5%.
“The chairperson of the airline has said that this brings the viability of the service into question,” Deputy Doherty told Tanáiste Micheál Martin, who replied: “That has to stop. We need regional connectivity. The north west particularly suffers from a lack of connectivity by rail and by road, because of the A5 debate. We have to keep the air links to the north west open. If I had my way, I would prefer Derry to also have an air connection. This is something that can and needs to be sorted.”
Donegal Cancer Flights & Services issued a statement on Monday to assure passengers that there are no changes as of now: “There’s a lot of talk in the media regarding flights to Dublin which could possibly affect DCFS. Please rest assured that we are working in conjunction with political representatives to ensure that this will not happen. For now there are no flight distributions, we will keep you updated on our progress.”
On the funding allocation, Minister Donnelly said: “Centres like Cancer Care West Donegal and Donegal Cancer Flights & Services 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.”