Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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81. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to expand the BreastCheck programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22595/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The BreastCheck programme provides free mammograms to all women aged 50 to 64. The programme for Government includes the extension of BreastCheck to women in the 65 to 69 age group, in keeping with EU guidelines on effective screening for breast cancer. The main priority for the HSE's national cancer screening service, NCSS, at present is to maximise national uptake in the 50 to 64 age cohort, and it aims to extend the upper age range from 65 to 69 in 2014. In the meantime, women of any age who have concerns about breast cancer should seek the advice of their GPs, who will, if appropriate, refer them to the symptomatic breast services in one of the eight designated specialist cancer centres. I am sure Deputy Kelleher will agree that any woman who is concerned about changes in her breasts should consult her GP.

An efficiency review of the BreastCheck screening programme in order to prepare for the age extension of the programme to women up to 69 was published recently. The review, which was commissioned by my Department, makes a number of recommendations on how the screening process could be enhanced to increase the number screened. The NCSS has set up an internal working group to begin the planning and costing process for the extension of the age range. The group is reviewing all aspects, including population growth, the impact of the higher rate of breast cancers in the older age range, resource requirements and implementation options. My Department will continue to work with the HSE to ensure that national priorities and programme for Government commitments are met.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Any extension to the service is welcome. Planning is critical in this regard. There were regional disparities when the original national breast screening programme was rolled out and these gave rise to a great deal of anxiety in particular geographical areas. Would be it possible to obtain a commitment to the effect that instead of being based on geographical areas, the roll-out will take place on a simultaneous national basis? The Minister referred to planning and a review by the NCSS. In that context, it is extremely important that the target for 2014 be hit at the beginning of that year rather than at the end. The recruitment embargo must be lifted in advance in order that the HSE might recruit this year in respect of the roll-out in 2014.

The issue of genetic predisposition is obviously high on the agenda as a result of a book published recently which was written by Angelina Jolie and which outlines her experience in this regard. Is it possible to obtain a commitment that people who are concerned about genetic predisposition and who visit their GPs will be able to obtain screenings?

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I will give credit where it is due. This programme, which is a good initiative, was rolled out under a previous Government. As per our programme for Government, we want to extend it. The recruitment of radiographers is ongoing and 15 whole-time equivalent posts were advertised. Of these, 8.3 positions have been filled and a further five candidates have completed successful interviews and are involved in the final clearance process. A further 1.8 posts remain vacant. There is an issue with regard to radiographers who specialise in mammography. The facility used to train such radiographers in the past was closed by you-know-who. We are, however, considering reopening it because of the difficulty we are experiencing in attracting radiographers. We want to have radiographers in place in order that we can continue to deliver the service. In addition, we want to improve breast cancer survival rates. An independent breast screening review undertaken in the UK was published in 2012. The independent panel charged with carrying out this review assessed the benefits and harms associated with population screening and discovered that breast screening programmes in the UK are saving lives. I have no doubt that the same will prove true here.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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What of the promised mammography services in Sligo Regional Hospital? The equipment there has been lying idle for the past two years. Both Fine Gael and the Labour Party made commitments in their pre-election manifestos and the programme for Government that full breast cancer services would be restored to Sligo.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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We are very keen to see the mammography service restored to Sligo. As I have already indicated to Deputy Kelleher, however, we are experiencing great difficulty in attracting mammographers. We have been obliged, therefore, to consider recruiting from abroad and, in final frustration, we are going to begin retraining people here. We have already appointed two people to training posts in order that they will be available to work either at the end of this year or the beginning of next year.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Will one be assigned to Sligo?

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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That is my intention. This matter is under the remit of the Galway group, which is constantly under pressure.

I have made it clear to Mr. Bill Maher, who is keen to have this mammography service restored, that these people should be available to the Sligo service. I do not want women travelling from Sligo to Galway unnecessarily. I have made it clear many times that I want to end the days of 30 people travelling to see a specialist. Instead, a specialist should travel to see them, in this case for mammograms.