Ms Averil Power:

Regarding screening and the cervical samples, I understand that the director of the screening service will be in with the next group. I know there has been investment into the facility in the Coombe but it will take time for that to be able to process all the Irish samples. Maybe the director can give an update on that.

Regarding screening programmes in general, the key thing is that we need to see that the existing programmes are meeting the targets that were set out in the strategy, including the higher target for bowel screening, and that we are seeing equal take-up across all communities, because there are big socioeconomic divides within screening. As Professor Kennedy said, that has been identified in the strategy. I know effort has been put into the screening service to try to reach some people but there are still big differences in breast screening uptake between south and north Dublin and between different communities. Screening saves lives and should save lives equally regardless of where people live or how much money they have. That is not happening yet and I think that needs a renewed focus.

The other question the Cathaoirleach asked was-----