Vol. 550 No. 2
285 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the reasons a person (details supplied) in County Carlow is not being screened by way of mammogram, which she would be if she lived in another health board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7760/02]
BreastCheck, the National Breast Screening Programme, commenced in March 2000 with phase one of the programme covering the Eastern Regional Health Authority, North-Eastern and Midland Health Board areas. Screening is being offered free of charge to all women in those areas in the target age group 50 to 64 years of age. To date, over 50,000 women have been called for screening and over 34,000 women have been screened. It is anticipated that phase one of the programme will be completed by December 2002.
It is essential that the programme is driven by international quality assurance and best practice and the experience gained in phase one will facilitate the process of planning and organising the roll-out of the programme to the rest of the country. BreastCheck is currently in discussion with health boards concerning expansion of the programme nationwide. My Department will continue to support BreastCheck in moving to nationwide coverage as soon as possible.
