4007. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the way in which people with lived experience of a cancer diagnosis, their carers, clinical staff, advocacy groups and so on, will be involved in the external evaluation of the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58561/26]

The Government is committed to the implementation of the National Cancer Strategy, supported by the reforms and investment delivered under Sláintecare. We have seen significant progress on the implementation of the Strategy since its launch in July, 2017.

My Department has invested heavily in the National Cancer Strategy and associated initiatives in recent years, enabling the further development of our national cancer services and leading to improved outcomes for cancer patients.

It is essential that we continue to build on our investment and progress. As the current National Cancer Strategy comes to its conclusion, an evaluation on the current National Cancer Strategy will be carried out later this year.

While the detailed methodology for the evaluation has not yet been finalised, it is expected that the views of patients, survivors, carers, clinicians, advocacy groups and other stakeholders will form an important part of the process. Decisions regarding the format of stakeholder engagement will be made as the evaluation framework is developed.