Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Chambers asked about the issue of capacity. What I meant by positivity was that the HSE officials, and I can single out Damien McCallion in particular, who were before this committee last week have worked night and day to try to identify additional capacity. They have assured me that it is not an issue of funding but of a shortage of cytology around the globe. For the first time last week the HSE officials said publicly at the joint committee and to me in meetings that they have identified extra capacity. This week there are intensive engagements under way to try to bring that capacity on board. I cannot go any further than that because I do not want to jeopardise it but I am hopeful. I will be clear to them, not that I need to be, because they get this, that any extra capacity needs to comply with Scally in terms of quality assurance. A conversation is ongoing to ensure that happens.

Deputy Chambers made a fair point on the issue of MedLab, and I hope it is one on which we can agree. It shows that some laboratories have capacity available. The issue is that they do not want to do business with the Irish public health service. I am not speaking for MedLab, but I think that is something we need to reflect on in the aftermath of the CervicalCheck debacle. Some laboratories made the decision that they are out of Ireland and no longer want to do business with Ireland. I cannot speak for them on why that is but it does perhaps go back to some of the comments in the Scally report on the debacle. I will confirm this in writing to the Deputy to be sure, but my understanding is that MedLab has a legal responsibility in respect of what it has processed, as does any laboratory in respect of any slide taken. I am reluctant to go further because there are ongoing discussions and I have no wish to jeopardise them. I know Deputy Chambers takes the same view. I am confident that if the HSE officials can get their discussions or negotiations over the line, there will be additional capacity in the programme above and beyond any decision that any individual laboratory may make.

Deputy Chambers is right about triage. It is a phrase I have used to try to provide reassurance. This is because there was an understandable view that if a woman had an additional risk, she would nevertheless be sitting in a queue along with everyone else. I have been informed that it operates in the laboratories where there is a backlog. In the particular laboratory where there is a backlog, they are now triaging people on the basis of medical history. I would be more comfortable if I could get the Deputy a note that I could share with the committee. I will get that for the Deputy today or tomorrow and outline exactly how that process works so that I do not articulate it incorrectly. I would like a clinician to write the letter, but that is my understanding. I gather those responsible triage people on the basis of medical history.