Vol. 513 No. 6
262 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the situation in the Eastern Health Board where there is a dispute over the availability of essential cyto-smear test kits and doctors requesting the 75p kits were being turned down because stocks had depleted due to lack of funds; and if he will carry out an investigation of this situation. [3085/00]
The Eastern Health Board has advised me that cervical smear test kits are supplied on a needs basis to general practitioners in Dublin through community care areas three and six. In the last couple of months the board has noted an increase in the uptake of these kits and hence additional kits have been requested. The board has assured me it is not an issue of availability of funds but rather of ensuring that sufficient supplies are kept to meet demand.
