James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

The big cost arises not from colonoscopies but from screening through fecal occult blood tests. I have no problem with finding money from within existing services given the huge level of waste that obtains. This has to be a priority and should be introduced sooner rather than later.

Last December, the Minister indicated that she wanted to see colonoscopies being performed within one month of referral. In April, however, the HSE revealed waiting lists of two years and more for colonoscopies in certain areas. I again ask her when we can expect the roll-out of this programme, irrespective of how it is funded. The money can be found, even if it has to come from the existing health budget of €16 billion.

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