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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Apr 2003

Vol. 564 No. 3

Written Answers - Cancer Screening Programme.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

184 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of funding being allocated in 2003 to the extension of BreastCheck to the south and west; the source of this funding; if expenditure on BreastCheck will not be at the expense of existing services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9261/03]

As the Deputy is aware, I announced the national extension of BreastCheck, the national breast screening programme, on 27 March 2003. The BreastCheck clinical unit in the western area will be at University College Hospital Galway with two associated mobile units. The area of coverage is counties Galway, Sligo, Roscommon, Donegal, Mayo, Leitrim, Clare and Tipperary North Riding. The BreastCheck clinical unit in the southern area will be located at South Infirmary-Victoria Hospital with three associated mobile units. Counties covered include Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Waterford and Tipperary South Riding.

Under the extension, approximately 130,000 women in the target population 50 to 64 years of age will be eligible for screening. The programme expects to diagnose approximately 400 cancers per annum among this population.

I do not anticipate additional revenue requirements for this programme this year. As regards capital costs, discussions are ongoing involving officials of my Department, BreastCheck and relevant health agencies.

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