To meet the additional demand for cervical cytology laboratory services, additional resources have been made available in recent years to develop both laboratory and colposcopy services. These resources have resulted in the employment of additional staff, the purchase of new equipment and the introduction of new technology. In 2002 additional ongoing funding in the region of €2.5 million was provided. This year a further €1.4 million has been allocated to health boards for ongoing development of the services.