Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 May 2005
131 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the recent claim from the Irish Cancer Society that women were dying needlessly from a wholly preventable disease due to the fact that there is no nationwide cervical cancer screening; the plans for the provision of such a service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15329/05]
View answer138 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she intends rolling out the national cervical screening programme; if so, the regions to which it will be rolled out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15424/05]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 138 together.
I am committed to the national rollout of a cervical screening programme in line with international best practice. International evidence demonstrates the proven efficacy of programmes that are effectively managed and meet quality assurance standards. Careful planning and consultation with relevant professional and advocacy stakeholders is required before I make definite policy decisions on a national rollout.
The former Health Board Executive commissioned an international expert in cervical screening to examine the feasibility and implications of a national roll out of a cervical screening programme. The examination included an evaluation of the current pilot programme in the mid-western area, quality assurance, laboratory capacity and organisation and the establishment of national governance arrangements. The expert's report was published on 14 December 2004.
The pilot cervical screening programme commenced in October 2000 and is available to eligible women resident in Counties Limerick, Clare and Tipperary north. Under the programme cervical screening is being offered, free of charge, to approximately 74,000 women in the 25 to 60 age group, at five year intervals.
My Department is now consulting the Irish College of General Practitioners, An Bord Altranais, the Academy of Medical Laboratory Science, the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, the faculty of pathology of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, the Women's Health Council, the Irish Cancer Society and the Dublin Well Woman Centre. The consultation with these key stakeholders is well advanced and will be completed in a matter of weeks.
The number of smear tests carried out annually is approximately 230,000 and represents an increase of almost 20% in recent years. To meet this increased demand additional cumulative funding of approximately €14.5 million has been provided by my Department since 2002 to enhance the laboratory and colposcopy services.
In addition, my Department allocated a further €1.1 million to the programme on an ongoing basis to complete the transition of the remaining laboratories to new and more effective testing and to support the development of quality assurance and training programmes. These are essential preparatory elements in a national roll out.
