Vol. 541 No. 2
523 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in implementing the policy (details supplied) on the future of the Breast Cancer Unit at Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21795/01]
536 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will give immediate formal authorisation for weekly breast cancer screening clinics at Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21929/01]
545 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when moneys for the breast care clinic in Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar, County Mayo, will be put in place. [21989/01]
546 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of money which has been allocated to the breast care clinic in Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar, County Mayo. [21991/01]
547 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if the breast care clinic in Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar, County Mayo, is to be upgraded; and if so, when this upgrade will take place. [21992/01]
627 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if the funding promised for the breast care clinic in Mayo General Hospital has been released; and if so, if it has been spent. [22208/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 523, 536, 545, 546, 547 and 627 together.
I have provided a sum of £1 million this year to the Western Health Board for the development of symptomatic breast disease services in line with the recommendations of the report of the sub-group on the development of services for symptomatic breast disease. The board has formulated detailed proposals on the development of services in its functional area. These proposals are the subject of ongoing consultations between the board and my Department.
BreastCheck, the national breast screening programme, commenced in February 2000. Phase I of the programme covers the Eastern Regional Health Authority area, the North-Eastern and Midland Health Board areas. Screening is being offered free of charge to all women in the target age group 50 to 64 years of age.
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.
Decisions in relation to subsequent phases of the programme will be guided by the experience gained from putting phase I of the programme in place. It is my intention that phase II of the programme, which will involve the extension of BreastCheck nationwide, should follow phase I as soon as is practicably possible. I understand that planning meetings have been held between the national breast screening board and the health boards concerning the roll out of phase II of the programme. My Department will continue to support BreastCheck in moving to national coverage as quickly as possible.
