Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

My question is focused first and foremost on how lives can be saved and, without doubt, that can and will happen with screening programmes and early diagnosis. It is not a small point to add that it will also save our health services enormously in terms of the cost of treatment for advanced bowel cancer. The quicker that this is rolled out the greater number of people that it can directly apply to will result in a very beneficial outcome, not only for the small number of people who will require treatment but in regard to the health budget.

I welcome the bowel cancer screening programme to be implemented by the National Cancer Screening Service and due to begin by the end of the year, and the Minister's confirmation of that. However, there is a problem. The Minister referred to a phased basis in his reply and indicated that the programme will be confined initially to the 60 to 69 age group. I am expertly advised. The Irish Cancer Society has strongly emphasised the need to widen the remit to the 55 to 74 age group to be most effective. The Minister has indicated that he intends to extend it in due course to cover that age cohort but will he undertake to widen the age group from the outset? All the information that has been shared with Members here indicates that is hugely important but not only in regard to the widening of the remit. We also need a commitment from the Minister on full funding for this programme as anything less will prove to be a false economy.

See this speech in context