Ms Fiona Murphy:

I am happy to confirm that we will be maintaining the mobile screening service. In the case of BreastCheck, our intention is to increase the number of mobile screening units. We have 21 at the moment, and we plan to increase that by one, but perhaps by up to three, depending on whether we can get a static centre or a mobile unit. Reducing geographical access issues greatly encourages people to come forward for screening. I am glad to hear that the Deputy thinks the service works well in Clare. I think it works well around the country.

I am delighted that the Deputy raised the issue of men's health services because there is a real message to send out to men around bowel cancer screening. Currently our uptake for this service is approximately 50%, so half of the people who could come forward for quite a simple bowel check are not doing so. It can be done in the comfort of one's own home, and it is a simple test to do and to send back. The benefits of doing this test are enormous. Over a ten-year period of screening, we anticipate that deaths from bowel cancer for those who come for screening will reduce by one third. That is a huge number for a cancer that is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in Ireland. We will do anything we can to encourage people to come forward for bowel screening. Over the course of the next five years our ambition will be to expand the number of people who can take up bowel screening.