James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will give credit where it is due. This programme, which is a good initiative, was rolled out under a previous Government. As per our programme for Government, we want to extend it. The recruitment of radiographers is ongoing and 15 whole-time equivalent posts were advertised. Of these, 8.3 positions have been filled and a further five candidates have completed successful interviews and are involved in the final clearance process. A further 1.8 posts remain vacant. There is an issue with regard to radiographers who specialise in mammography. The facility used to train such radiographers in the past was closed by you-know-who. We are, however, considering reopening it because of the difficulty we are experiencing in attracting radiographers. We want to have radiographers in place in order that we can continue to deliver the service. In addition, we want to improve breast cancer survival rates. An independent breast screening review undertaken in the UK was published in 2012. The independent panel charged with carrying out this review assessed the benefits and harms associated with population screening and discovered that breast screening programmes in the UK are saving lives. I have no doubt that the same will prove true here.

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