Discrimination against cancer survivors when accessing financial products must stop

Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin South Central Catherine Ardagh has said that cancer survivors deserve to be treated fairly when accessing financial products such as mortgages, health insurance, and travel insurance.

 

Deputy Ardagh made the comments following the introduction of a Private Members’ Bill aimed at prohibiting discrimination against cancer survivors and emphasised the need for legislative action to ensure financial inclusion for those who have overcome cancer.

 

“Cancer survivors should not face unnecessary financial barriers when trying to rebuild their lives,” said Deputy Ardagh. “It is unacceptable that someone who has survived cancer, sometimes having been diagnosed as a child or teenager, is still being penalised by financial institutions many years later. This Bill enshrines the ‘Right to be Forgotten,’ ensuring that cancer survivors are not unfairly judged on their past illness when seeking financial services.”

 

The proposed legislation amends the Central Bank Act 1942 to prohibit financial service providers from discriminating against individuals based on a past cancer diagnosis, provided they have reached certain post-treatment milestones. This aligns Ireland with best practices already established in countries such as France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

 

Fianna Fáil TD for Louth Erin McGreehan, who spoke in favour of the Bill, highlighted the growing population of cancer survivors in Ireland, stating: “Thanks to advances in medical treatments and improvements in cancer care, survival rates have increased significantly. Today, an estimated 220,000 people in Ireland are living with or beyond cancer. Yet, many still face higher insurance premiums, restrictive terms, or outright denial of financial services. This Bill seeks to address this injustice. ''

 

Senator Teresa Costello, a breast cancer survivor said, “Drawing from my own experience, I know cancer doesn't discriminate but financial institutions do. Life after cancer can be very difficult. We are here to change that and that’s why the right to be forgotten is a necessity.''