Written Answers Nos. 109-112
109. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the provisions in place to ensure that women aged 65 years and over in 2015, who will be overlooked by the newly proposed, yearly roll out of the BreastCheck screening programme between 2015-2021, will have access to at least one BreastCheck screening during the phased roll out of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43349/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra111. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to provide the women in the west and the north-west of Ireland with this extended BreastCheck service for women aged 65 to 69, considering the fact that there was a long delay in the original BreastCheck screening service being made available to women in the region in comparison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43353/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra112. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the funds that have been made available in the Finance Bill 2015 for the extended roll out of the BreastCheck screening service for women aged 65 to 69; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43357/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra114. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the new equipment planned to be provided in order to ensure that the phased roll out of a BreastCheck service to women aged 64 to 69 will not overload the current system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43382/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 109, 111, 112 and 114 together.
Additional funding of €0.2m is being provided in the 2015 Estimates to commence the extension of the BreastCheck screening programme next year to women aged 65 to 69 years of age. Screening of the extended cohort will commence towards the end of 2015 and will be expanded on an incremental basis. The age extension will be fully rolled out in 2021. The age extension will be rolled out on a nationwide basis. The additional eligible population is approximately 100,000 and, when fully implemented, 540,000 women will be included.
The extension will result in those who are already being invited to screening as part of the current programme having their period of screening extended until they are 69 years of age. Those aged 65 will be the first to be invited. The extension will be implemented on a phased basis in order to manage the additional screening and follow up workload.
Additional capital and equipment is required for the age extension. This will be provided periodically until 2021 and will not impact on the current screening programme.
Women of any age who have concerns about breast cancer should seek the advice of their GP who will, if appropriate, refer them to the symptomatic breast services in one of the eight designated cancer centres.
110. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health when a decision on a medical card will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43352/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for Members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas Members. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
