Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

To return to some issues that were raised earlier, on cancer prevention in respect of smoking and alcohol intake, the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 is now on the Statute Book and affects minimum unit pricing, advertising and the display of alcohol in shops and supermarkets. While it will take some time to be fed through into the system, it is positive. There are smoking-related targets for 2025 but we are not meeting them. I acknowledge that the incidence of smoking is reducing but, to the best of my knowledge, we are far behind our target for 2025.

On screening and early detection, in the cervical cancer programme, unfortunately, only 80% of women will take up the option of a free cervical smear test. Dr. Coffey referred to the rise in breast screening tests from 70% to 75%. How can we increase those figures, given that it is a substantial gap in the cancer programme if we cannot recruit 100% participation? The Government had proposed to introduce HPV testing of cervical smears in October of last year but that has yet to happen and, according to what I have heard from the Minister for Health, it may not happen this year. Dr. Coffey might comment on that. On a related issue, there is the unfortunate backlog of cervical screening, stretching back to more than six months in some cases. How can that be addressed and how is it being considered by the HSE?

On the treatment of cancer, there is a patchiness of access to oncology treatment and radiotherapy in parts of the country. In the mid-west, I am aware of a problem with access to radiotherapy, in particular, as well as to oncology. I invite Dr. Coffey to comment on those points.