Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

The roll-out of a national cervical screening programme is the most efficient population approach to preventing and controlling cervical cancer. It is my objective to have such a programme rolled out, beginning late this year, based on an affordable model. For that purpose, on 1 January this year, I established a national cancer screening service which amalgamates BreastCheck and the Irish cervical screening programme. The total allocation to the new service is €33 million, a 71% increase on the 2006 allocation to the services. It includes additional revenue funding of €5 million to commence roll-out of the cervical screening programme and €8 million to commence roll-out of BreastCheck. Significant preparatory work is well under way in respect of the roll-out of cervical screening, involving the introduction of new and improved cervical tests, improved quality assurance training and the preparation of a national population register.

In parallel with the roll-out of cervical screening and as is the case in other jurisdictions, we are examining the potential role of vaccination against human papilloma virus. One vaccine, Gardasil, has been shown to be effective against four types of this virus, including two that cause 70% of cervical cancers. However, there would remain at least 30% of women whose cervical cancer would not be prevented by the vaccine. The national immunisation advisory committee has been asked to advise on its potential use.

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