A pilot cervical screening programme commenced in October 2000, with the programme covering the Mid-Western Health Board region. Under the pilot programme, cervical screening is being offered, free of charge, to approximately 74,000 women in the 25 to 60 year age group, at five year intervals.
The Health Board Executive, HeBE, has commissioned an examination of the feasibility and implications of a national roll out of a cervical screening programme. A key element of this work is an evaluation of the current pilot programme. It is expected that the evaluation will be completed this year. The HeBE has advised my Department that, when the evaluation report is completed, it will be in a position to prepare a draft plan for the national roll out of a programme for consideration by my Department.