Cancer shouldn’t preclude anyone from accessing vital financial products - Senator Catherine Ardagh

Nearly a quarter of people affected by cancer reported not being able to even get a quote for a range of financial products

Fianna Fáil Senator Catherine Ardagh has said that cancer shouldn’t preclude anyone from accessing vital financial products. 

A new bill will be brought before the Seanad today which aims to ensure cancer patients are not denied access to financial products like mortgage protection and insurance due to their medical history.

The Central Bank (Amendment) Bill 2022 will be brought forward by Senator Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fáil) and co-signed by Senators Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) and Paul Gavin (Sinn Féin) on behalf of the Oireachtas Cross Party Group on Cancer, which includes members from the Green Party, Labour, Social Democrats and the People Before Profit–Solidarity Group.

Commenting on the bill, Senator Ardagh said, “It’s completely unacceptable that a cancer patient would be punished when it comes to accessing vital financial services as a result of their medical history. 

“This bill going before the Seanad today will seek to change previous legislation to ensure that no individual will have to declare a cancer diagnosis five years after finishing active treatment. 

“It’s unfair that the financial system would punish former cancer patients in this way when they have already suffered enough in terms of their illness and are now trying to move on with their lives having come out the other side. 

“Research from the Irish Cancer Society has shown that nearly a quarter of people affected by cancer aren’t even able to get a quote for a financial product such as a mortgage or life insurance. 

“This bill has cross-party support, as well as the support of the Irish Cancer Society, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to progress this bill through the Houses of the Oireachtas for the benefit of cancer patients across the country.”

ENDS