Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Any extension to the service is welcome. Planning is critical in this regard. There were regional disparities when the original national breast screening programme was rolled out and these gave rise to a great deal of anxiety in particular geographical areas. Would be it possible to obtain a commitment to the effect that instead of being based on geographical areas, the roll-out will take place on a simultaneous national basis? The Minister referred to planning and a review by the NCSS. In that context, it is extremely important that the target for 2014 be hit at the beginning of that year rather than at the end. The recruitment embargo must be lifted in advance in order that the HSE might recruit this year in respect of the roll-out in 2014.

The issue of genetic predisposition is obviously high on the agenda as a result of a book published recently which was written by Angelina Jolie and which outlines her experience in this regard. Is it possible to obtain a commitment that people who are concerned about genetic predisposition and who visit their GPs will be able to obtain screenings?

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