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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Dec 2001

Vol. 545 No. 5

Written Answers. - Cancer Screening Programme.

Deirdre Clune

Question:

45 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of health board areas where breast screening is completely available; and when it will be available in all health board areas. [30915/01]

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

87 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps being taken to ensure the extension of the BreastCheck programme to the entire country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30907/01]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 87 together.

BreastCheck, the national breast screening programme, was launched in October 2000 with phase one of the programme covering the Eastern Regional Health Authority, Midland Health Board and North-Eastern Health Board areas. The programme offers free breast screening to women living in the phase one areas aged between 50 and 64 years. To date over 50,000 women have been called for screening, and over 34,000 women have been screened. Counties Longford, Westmeath, Meath and areas of Dublin have been screened and BreastCheck is currently screening more areas in Dublin and counties Louth and Kildare. It is expected that phase one of the programme will be completed by December 2002.

The decision to proceed on a phased basis is a reflection of the complexities involved in the screening process and my Department's key objective is to ensure that the programme is driven by international quality assurance criteria and best practice. BreastCheck is currently in consultation with health boards concerning the roll-out of the programme nationwide. Under the national health strategy, commitment has been given to the full extension of the breast screening programme. In this context, I will continue to support BreastCheck in moving to national coverage as soon as is practically possible, having regard, in particular to the experience gained in putting phase one of the programme in place.

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