Mary White (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)

The last point is the legitimate one regarding the loss of Irish jobs. On this, the Health Service Executive has accepted its responsibility to ensure medical laboratory scientists employed in cytology are redeployed in the health system.

It must be remembered the new contract the NCSS is set to sign will be good news for 1.1 million women who will receive test results within four weeks rather than waiting for six months in some cases. Each year, 180 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and last year 73 women died from this form of cancer. We need to address delays of up to six months in smear test results. The NCSS has indicated that implementation of the national programme could reduce mortality rates from cervical cancer by up to 80%. The women of my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny want a quick, efficient service and an end to the agonising delays spent waiting for test results.

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