Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Cairns for raising this important Topical Issue matter which I am taking this on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. This week marks European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week. This is significant initiative in women's health and it is the first time the world has committed to eliminating a cancer as a public health problem. It is a perfect opportunity to reaffirm the Government's commitment to eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem for women in Ireland.

The HSE launched Ireland's roadmap to reach the global targets set by the WHO. In Ireland we are already well on the way and we are in a strong position to meet the targets. This is due in large part to the introduction of cervical screening and improvements in early diagnosis as well as our HPV vaccination programme. The incidence and mortality rates from cervical cancer are declining. We are all united in our desire to eliminate this cancer, which is within reach of us. We are one of a small number of countries with the best in class testing and offering HPV screening, and this is more effective than previous screenings.

As well as screening we also have a highly effective HPV vaccination programme. Last year the Minister announced an extension to the programme, the Laura Brennan HPV vaccination catch-up programme. It is important to acknowledge the role Senator Martin Conway from Clare played in this. He raised it with me more than three times in the past two years in the Seanad and has been a very strong advocate. This programme now offers an additional opportunity to those who were previously eligible for the HPV vaccine but, for whatever reason, did not get it. The Minister was pleased to show his strong commitment to the elimination of cervical cancer and has invested more than €750,000 through the women's health fund. This is for the strategy, information, and communication campaigns and the new HPV vaccination catch-up portal. Included in this funding is a research element to explore the use of self-sampling of cervical cancer, which may assist in understanding and assessing barriers in marginalised groups when providing cervical screening. Importantly, National Cancer Registry Ireland has reported that, since the introduction of cervical screening in 2008, the incidence and mortality rates for cervical cancer are declining. Women who attended screening were more likely to be diagnosed at an earlier stage.

We know some populations are less likely to take up invitations to screening. CervicalCheck is committed to identifying any barriers to participation and working to overcome these. CervicalCheck regularly runs targeted campaigns to raise awareness among women over 50 that screening is still for them and the importance of taking up screening invitations. Screening at regular intervals is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer. It is exciting that we are one of the leading nations in cervical cancer prevention and that we continue to see our programme adapt and evolve. The WHO European regional director, Dr. Hans Kluge, has acknowledged and welcomed Ireland's new roadmap and our commitment, saying they look forward to Ireland as a trailblazer in achieving this ambitious goal.

Most importantly, I urge Members to inform everybody, particularly women, parents, and young adults to get informed about the causes of cervical cancer and to understand how HPV vaccination, cervical screening, early treatment and awareness of symptoms are the key tools to fight against cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is preventable and curable if detected early and managed effectively. The HSE is running an extensive social media and communications campaign to highlight that.

I am conscious the Deputy has raised issues that I have not addressed in the script and which I will bring back to the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, about open disclosure and the laboratory in Ireland. They were not addressed in the script but it needs to be addressed.

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