Mary Wallace (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

Funding of €750,000 is available in 2009 for the purpose, but the estimated total cost of the scheme nationally will be €4 million. The key message is that despite the difficult financial situation, this is being rolled out in the HSE western region. We picked that area because a population based screening programme was located there previously. We are putting in place all of the various pieces we need to put in place for 2009, including governance and committee structures and the processes involved. There also has been recruitment of staff for the IT side of the scheme. It is a good news story as it is getting priority under the current financial situation and the roll out is happening on a phased basis.

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