asked the Minister for Health if he will state the number of persons who have, to the latest available date (a) been X-rayed by the mass-radiography service; (b) been advised to have further X-ray photographs taken, and (c) have followed this advice.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mass Radiography Service.
Presumably, the Deputy is referring to persons X-rayed under the service provided by the National Mass-Radiography Association in cooperation with local health authorities. From the end of May last, when the service commenced, to the 29th ultimo—
(a) 47,851 persons were X-rayed, and
(b) of these, 2,965 persons were suspected of having a chest abnormality, practically all of whom were advised to undergo further X-ray, i.e., large plate examination.
It is not possible to state the number of persons referred to at (c) in the question, as the function of the association does not extend beyond advising the person examined to consult his or her doctor for the purpose of undergoing any further examinations considered necessary.