Vol. 481 No. 3
57 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will provide additional funding to hospitals carrying out smear tests to help speed up the process in view of the fact that women have to wait for up to ten weeks for the results of these tests; if he will ensure that women with medical cards are not charged a fee for smear tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15930/97]
In 1997 £1.5 million was made available for the recruitment of additional histopathologists and cytologists to facilitate the reporting of cervical smear test results within one month as far as possible. In addition, the provision of extra cervical cytology laboratory capacity was agreed with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Difficulties are, however, being experienced in recruiting experienced cytologists and trainee cytologists are being recruited where necessary. It will, however, take approximately one year before trainees are proficient in screening.
