1327. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the provisions that will be made for meaningful representation of patients in the development and governance of the next national cancer strategy. [65262/26]

Meaningful patient participation will be a central element of the development of the next National Cancer Strategy.

Subject to the completion of the necessary approvals, it is intended that a National Cancer Strategy Development Steering Group will be appointed in the coming weeks.

The Steering Group will oversee the development of the successor to the National Cancer Strategy 2017–2026. It is currently expected to bring together expertise from across the health service, clinical care, research, patient experience, and related areas.

The Steering Group is expected to commence its work shortly after appointments have been finalised.

Concurrently, the Cancer Patient Advisory Committee is expected to continue to meet throughout the strategy development process and will provide input on key issues as appropriate.

It is also anticipated that wider public engagement may be undertaken and this will help ensure that the successor Strategy is informed by the experiences and needs of patients, survivors, families and carers, and reflects the priorities of those affected by cancer.