Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to deal with a couple of aspects of the Minister's response. The waiting time to get one's screening result back is up to 20 weeks. Many of the women were part of the CervicalCheck disaster or issue that arose and they are having a repeat smear test because they are worried. They are worried because they think that their previous screening may not have been done correctly or that their cancer may have been missed. The Minister made a political promise that women could have access to additional smear tests. He did not resource that promise fully or properly and now the wait has increased from five or six weeks, which was the normal waiting time, to sometimes in excess of 20 weeks. Those women who are waiting, who are concerned or worried, are now having to wait a considerably longer time to get the reassurance the Minister promised them. I have spoken to some of the women who are waiting on their results.

In addition, if one gets a smear result that is of concern or is abnormal, one is then referred to a colposcopy clinic. We do not have enough histologists to examine the biopsies so there is a backlog. There is then a wait of up to 18 months to see a gynaecologist or to have further treatment. A problem is brewing for the Minister and it is only going to get worse. Could the Minister please advise to the House what additional resources he will provide and when we will have them?

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