Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The fundamental question is will the Government extend the screening programme and will the resources be made available to extend the surveillance programme, as recommended by HIQA? That is the first question on which I seek absolute clarity and confirmation. The establishment of a working group does not mean a great deal. It can mean something but it would have to be followed up by a clear commitment to adequately resource the provision of any programme or service. That would take funding but the numbers involved are not significant in terms of those with a genetic mutation that would create a higher risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Let us consider the numbers at issue. I understand approximately 4,200 women are known to have familial risks but only one in 15 of these actually have a genetic mutation. The costs cannot be insurmountable in this case although I realise there will be logistical issues and so on.

That is the position in terms of surveillance and screening. Equally important, is it acceptable that if one wants to have the DNA test done one must pay approximately €1,400 or else wait 18 months? I call on the Taoiseach, the Government and the Minister for Health to focus on that specific area and issue. At the moment the tests are going to Birmingham. The Taoiseach mentioned the national centre in Crumlin. The spokespeople at the national centre maintain that their equipment is hopelessly outdated, that they require new equipment and that extra capital resources to provide the equipment necessary to do the testing here are required. That has been well commented on by many of the experts involved in the aftermath of this issue getting the attention it is getting today.

Is the Taoiseach confirming that the surveillance programme as recommended by HIQA is going ahead and that resources will be provided to enable it? Will the Taoiseach take urgent action to enable women who need DNA testing to get it as a matter of necessity? Will he ensure that the availability and accessibility will be enhanced dramatically from the current waiting time of 18 months, a period which, I imagine the Taoiseach would agree, is unacceptable? The numbers are not vast. Lives can be saved. We are discussing reducing the risk of getting specific cancers from 87% to 5% and reducing the risk of ovarian cancer by 15%. There are gains to be made.

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