asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that a cytology department at St. Kevin's Hospital, Dublin cannot be developed because the salary which he is prepared to sanction for a pathologist with this speciality is insufficient to attract suitable applicants; and what action he proposes to take to remedy this situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Hospital Cytology Department.
49.
The problem of how best to organise a cytology screening service is more complex than the Deputy's question would suggest. One of the basic difficulties is that very few medical men specialise in this field. I will be reviewing the arrangements to develop this service in the light of the proposals of the Consultative Council on the reorganisation of the general hospital services.
Would the Minister not think it a good idea that the cytologist for public services be sent abroad for training in this speciality at the expense of this Department? I make that suggestion because this is going on for a few years.
Mr. Flanagan
I appreciate that. I think it is a good idea.