Cancer survivors are set to face a shorter wait to access mortgage protection insurance under new Government plans, with legislation expected before the summer recess.
The proposals will reduce the remission period required by cancer survivors from seven years to five under planned 'right to be forgotten' legislation.
The measures will also increase the mortgage protection insurance threshold from €500,000 to €650,000, reflecting rising property prices.
The changes are due to go before Cabinet in the coming weeks, with the aim of being passed by the Oireachtas before the summer.
The Central Bank (Amendment) Bill 2025 will also introduce a statutory 'right to disregard', meaning cancer survivors will not have to disclose certain aspects of their medical history when applying for mortgage protection insurance after a defined period.
Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister of State Robert Troy confirmed the measures following engagement with the Irish Cancer Society ahead of Daffodil Day.
"Meaningful difference"
The Tánaiste said the reforms are designed to "make a meaningful difference" to cancer survivors and their families.
"A cancer diagnosis should never define somebody’s financial future or prevent them from owning their own home. For too long, this sadly has been the case," he said.
He said the measures will be brought to Government for approval next month, acknowledging they have been "talked about for many years".
"Thanks to the work of the Irish Cancer Society and many others, Government is now in a position to put them into action," he added.
Mr Troy said the changes would help ensure the financial system "works for everyone" and noted the legislation originated as a Private Members’ Bill from Deputy Catherine Ardagh.
He said the Bill has cross-party support and is expected to progress quickly through the remaining stages of the Oireachtas.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme, Mr Troy said: "The amending legislation is ready to be introduced. I had hoped to be introducing it before Easter, it looks like that's going to slide out to the week after Easter, so we're talking only a matter of weeks after Easter.
"But this is a really positive story and it's so heartening to hear that we're able to make a difference to people who just want that ability to move on with their lives.
"Buying your own home is such an important life stage and to be able to support people who have survived cancer to do that is a really positive development," added Mr Troy.
Five-year campaign for change
The Irish Cancer Society, which launched its 'Right to be Forgotten after Cancer' campaign in 2021, welcomed the announcement as a significant step forward.
The organisation said cancer survivors face financial challenges accessing services like mortgage protection insurance, including delays, higher premiums and refusals.
Director of Advocacy and Communications, Steve Dempsey, said the announcement is a significant step forward following a five-year campaign by the charity.
"Survivors faced endless paperwork trails and hurdles to access fundamental financial services such as mortgage protection - without which, they cannot access a mortgage.
"If they were one of the fortunate few to even get to approval, they face hiked premiums," he said.
Mr Dempsey said a voluntary code introduced by the insurance industry went some way to address these issues but added it needed to be backed by legislation.
He said the move to a five-year remission period aligns with best practice in other European countries.
"For the first time, Government has committed to a five-year period, and this will give enormous comfort to cancer patients and survivors," he added.
"Great news for cancer patients and survivors"
For many cancer survivors, the changes could have a direct impact on their ability to buy or fully own a home.
Lydia Whelan, a breast cancer survivor from Co Kildare, said her diagnosis came shortly after she had gone sale agreed on a property with her partner.
While the purchase ultimately went through, her name was not included on the property due to insurance difficulties.
"Everything came to a standstill for me once my diagnosis was confirmed. With the support of friends and family we were able to complete the purchase, but my name is not on the property," she said.
"The thought of being medically clear of my cancer within five years of my treatment ending, but then having to wait seven years to get my own name on my house, it would be prolonging the trauma of my diagnosis and needlessly preventing me from getting on with my life," she added.
She described the planned reduction in the waiting period as "hugely welcome" and said it would benefit future survivors.
"That’s why this is such great news for cancer patients and survivors," she said.
Announcement not just welcome, but 'long overdue'
Director of Services at the East Galway and Midlands Cancer Support Centre, Jacqueline Daly said the announcement is not just welcome, but "long overdue."
She said the core of the matter is about fairness as she believes people who have endured serious illness, particularly cancer, have faced barriers long after recovery when trying to access financial services like mortgages or insurance.
Ms Daly said the issue isn't a privilege but a matter of justice for cancer survivors.
"As has been widely argued, a past illness should not define a person's financial future or limit their ability to rebuild their lives."
"What makes this moment particularly significant is that Ireland is moving from a voluntary approach to its statutory one," she said.
Ms Daly said embedding this right in law will provide certainly accountability and dignity for cancer survivors.
She said it also reflects a broader societal shift as more people are surviving serious illness like cancer and added that "public policy must catch up with that reality."
"Denying equal access to housing or financial services on past medical conditions is increasingly indefensible ethically and socially."
She said the planned legislation recognizes that surviving illness should mark the beginning of a new chapter not a lifelong penalty.
Next steps
The Department of Finance said the legislation has been developed in consultation with stakeholders and is designed to be legally robust and aligned with EU law.
The €650,000 threshold will also be subject to periodic review in line with the Residential Property Price Index.
If approved by Cabinet, the legislation will proceed through the Oireachtas in the coming months, with a commencement order expected to allow time for the insurance industry to implement changes.
The Government said the legislation will build on a voluntary code introduced in 2023.
Under the proposed law, financial providers could face fines or imprisonment if found to have discriminated against a person on health grounds in accessing insurance products.
The Irish Cancer Society said it now wants to see the legislation enacted as quickly as possible so cancer survivors can begin to benefit.
