Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I welcome the Tánaiste's earlier response on the number of women who do not take up the opportunity, for the following reason. Does she recall that a mammography machine was located at Cavan General Hospital for several years, that it was never used and was then transferred to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda? During its time at Cavan a number of radiographers were specially trained in England to use it, but never allowed to actually put the equipment into use at Cavan General Hospital. Does the Tánaiste not agree that this is yet another indication of the folly of over-centralisation and that the powers-that-be have decreed from on high that services as regards BreastCheck in the north east will be centred at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda?

On the numbers of women to whom she refers as not taking up the opportunity — and some who require after-care referral — it is not always a question of preferring not to know. While I appreciate the importance of the roll-out throughout the rest of the State and fully concur with Deputy Cowley's points, nevertheless, where the service is in place it is not being taken up by all the women who should avail of it. Part of the reason is that we have a very serious transport problem. The Tánaiste should know that there is practically no public transport system in place in the north east. It is virtually non-existent. There is no regular service to Drogheda from any of the other key locations within the neighbouring counties, certainly not Cavan and Monaghan. Accepting that deficiency, will the Tánaiste outline steps she may be considering to help ensure all women have the opportunity to avail of the service already in existence and, in preparing for its roll-out throughout the rest of the State, will she build in to the plan transport arrangements because often women are left isolated and alone? There may be a vehicle at home that is used by another person in the home for work and other reasons. It is not always simple. I would like to know if any measures are being considered to address that deficiency.

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