Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday a constituent came to my office and told me she went for a smear test appointment with her GP who is offering free smear tests, which is good. When she asked where the test was going to be sent to, however, she was informed it would be sent to the US. She did not want it to be sent to the US and asked for it to be done in an Irish lab instead. She was subsequently informed that this would cost her €125. She had to cancel it because she is on social welfare and cannot afford it. She has had to reschedule her smear test.

Will the Taoiseach investigate if this was a one-off incident or is there a charge for women patients to have their smear tests sent to an Irish lab? If that is the case, it is wrong and it should be dealt with.

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