Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Cowley for raising this matter on the Adjournment. I welcome the opportunity this afternoon to set out the current position in respect of the BreastCheck programme and, in particular, to the extension of the programme to the remaining counties in the country.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children met Professor Kerin last year in respect of the roll-out of BreastCheck and the need to commence it as soon as possible. BreastCheck has advised the Department of Health and Children that an exact date for the commencement of screening will be announced during 2006 following receipt of planning approval for the new assessment facilities required and as the staff recruitment process proceeds. BreastCheck is working to secure the earliest possible commencement of screening in 2007. Staff recruitment commenced on 18 November 2005. All the resources necessary to meet the timelines for the commencement of the roll-out have been made available.

The national breast screening programme commenced in the eastern and midland regions in February 2000. Screening is offered free of charge to women in the 50 to 64 age group in these regions. The extension to the south east commenced in 2004, following the opening of a new €5 million dedicated screening unit at St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin. A mobile unit is now providing screening for women in Wexford. Screening commenced in Carlow recently and will be extended to County Kilkenny during this year. The expansion to the south-eastern counties will result in an additional 18,000 women being invited for screening.

Planning is under way for the roll-out of the screening programme to the remaining regions in the country. The Department's letter of determination to BreastCheck for 2006 provides for an allocation of €13.693 million. This includes revenue funding of €2.3 million to, inter alia, provide for the recruitment and training of staff to commence the national roll-out of the screening programme in 2007. An additional €200,000 is being made available for improvements in radiographer ratios in the regions covered by the current programme. Late last year, a once-off capital grant of €500,000 was made available to purchase new digital mammography machines as part of BreastCheck's replacement programme of analogue equipment. An additional once off capital grant of €280,000 was also made available to upgrade information technology equipment.

The national roll-out of the BreastCheck programme to remaining counties is a major priority in the development of cancer services.

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