Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

I expect an announcement to be made soon in that regard. Much concern was expressed by Senators about men's health. Two of the cancers which have a major impact on men's health are prostate and colorectal cancers. There are approximately 1,150 new cases of prostate cancer annually in Ireland. The majority of cases occur in the 70-74 year age group. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to recommend the introduction of a population based prostate screening programme but international evidence is being kept under review and should it become obvious that we should change, we will be happy to do so.

Colorectal cancer caused 13% of cancer deaths in men between the 1994 and 2001 and 11% of cancer deaths in women in the same period. While faecal occult blood testing is well evaluated, a major deterrent to its use is the large number of people that must undergo testing to save one life. Its efficacy, therefore, makes it unsuitable as a population screening tool. International evidence has been kept under review. In particular a pilot programme was recently introduced in the UK and we await the results of it. The incidence of cancer is increasing but this is mainly due to an increasing and aging population. National population based screening programmes are introduced only where there is clear evidence of the benefits to the whole population.

A number of Senators mentioned cervical screening. The pilot programme available in the mid-west region offers screening to approximately 74,000 women and approximately €4 million is provided annually to support it. The target age group comprises approximately 1 million women throughout the country and the introduction of a national programme is a significant undertaking that will require major resources. The cost of a national programme for a full year will be over €20 million and will require detailed and careful planning. It is important that the necessary infrastructure is introduced before the programme is introduced. I have discussed this issue with various groups who have explained their desire to have the national screening programme rolled out. I am well aware of the demand for cervical screening throughout the country and the matter will be seriously examined.

The report by the international expert included an evaluation of the pilot programme, quality assurance, laboratory capacity and organisation in the establishment of national governance arrangements. Following the publication of the report the Department consulted with and sought the views of the relevant professional and advocacy stakeholders, including the Irish College of General Practitioners, An Bord Altranais, the Academy of Medical Laboratory Science, the faculty of pathology of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, the Women's Health Council and the Irish Cancer Society. The Department welcomes the constructive contributions made by these groups.

As we must plan the next stage of the extension, considerable preparatory work has taken place and substantial investment has been made into laboratory and colposcopy services. The number of smear tests carried out annually is approximately 230,000 and represents a 20% increase in recent years. To meet this increased demand additional cumulative funding of €14.5 million has been provided by the Department since 2002 to enhance the laboratory and colposcopy services. In addition, the Department allocated a further €1.1 million to the cervical screening programme on an ongoing basis to complete the transition of the remaining laboratories to new and more effective testing and to support the development of quality assurance and training programmes. These are essential preparatory elements for a national roll out.

The report recommends a major redesign of our laboratory services to support the national roll out and we must examine how best and most effectively to organise the programme. The introduction of the programme will generate increased concerns about the disease and we must ensure we have the necessary infrastructure in place to meet this. The Tánaiste is committed to the roll out of a national cervical screening programme and the Department is now in the process of discussing options for the roll out with the Health Service Executive.