Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 May 2004
54 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Health and Children when the national roll out service will commence following the review of the first phase of the cervical screening programme which is intended to inform on the development of a cervical screening model for the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15432/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraA 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.
