Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Accuracy is important. I did not know about this last November; I knew on 5 December that there was a potential issue highlighted by Quest Diagnostics that might or might not have required action, and that work was being done in that regard. I understand that only as recently as this week did my Department finally receive the report from the HSE as it was a major body of work to, first, ascertain the exact women who needed to be recalled and if there was a need for the precautionary retest to take place. I have been informed that there are 4,600 women who will need to be offered a retest as a precautionary measure arising from better quality assurance resulting from Dr. Scally's report. I will check how many are outstanding and revert to the Deputy directly as, truthfully, I do not know the number.

The Deputy is entirely correct that we are finding it extraordinarily challenging to find additional capacity because there is a cytology shortage globally. The Deputy will accept that it is not an issue of writing a cheque or providing more funding. The HSE - particularly Mr. Damien McCallion - is working extraordinarily hard and due to provide me with a capacity report in the coming weeks that I will be happy to share with the Oireachtas and relevant committees. The HSE is working extremely hard in trying to find additional capacity which is vital to clear the backlog.

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