Mary White (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister here this evening and wish him the best of luck. We all depend on him to show that the country can manage itself and its projects but that all depends on how health reform is delivered. There is no hope for the country if reform cannot be delivered. Professor Crown has explained that there are more medical schools in Ireland producing doctors than other countries. Why can a financial penalty not be imposed when newly trained doctors leave the country to work elsewhere when so much taxpayers' money has been spent on their education?

Since 2006 I have produced a policy paper on a new approach to ageing and ageism as a result of public meetings that I held here in the city. Since then, one of the issues I have campaigned for is the abolition of the 64 year age limit on BreastCheck because one in ten of all breast cancers occur in the 65 to 69 age group. On 15 October, which is three months ago, there was euphoria outside the gates of Leinster House and the next day mega pictures of the gathering were published in the newspapers. We were all high with excitement because we thought the service would be extended. The Irish Cancer Society welcomed the decision to make the necessary investment to ensure the BreastCheck scheme was extended to women aged 65 to 69 years. The society said it was the right decision and stated it would save a minimum of 87 lives a year. The extension of the scheme to women aged between 65 and 69 is a great victory for those of us opposed to the ageism which is endemic in our society. People have asked me why the scheme ceased at 64 years. The reason is because there are very few women at the highest level in the Departments of Health or Finance where decisions are made about where the money should be spent. The people there write off women aged over 65 and think "they are getting really old and we should not have to treat them or whatever or give them free mammograms". One of the beauties of the free BreastCheck scheme is that women are called in for breast screening. If one is not part of the scheme, then one is not called for screening and the decision and cost is left to each individual woman.

After the demonstration I composed a beautiful newsletter which praised the Minister, and declared the extension of the scheme was a victory and that the rights of older women were no longer denied. People have since asked me when this part of the scheme would start and I told them it would be in 2015. I was appalled to learn before Christmas that the scheme would not be rolled out until the end of 2015. I also want to know why the free check is stopped when women reach 69 years. Women's lives will be lost due the scheme not being extended until the end of 2015. I felt ashamed when I had to tell women they could not apply for the test until the end of 2015. I got the impression on the day of the demonstration that the service would be rolled out this year - end of story.

I have three questions for the Minister. How many women aged between 65 and 69 will be screened as part of the BreastCheck programme in 2015? How much funding will go towards BreastCheck in 2015? The HSE's national service plan has put the figure at €100,000 but the Minister, during the Seanad debate held on Tuesday, 15 July 2014, put the figure "at some €200,000". An extension of the BreastCheck programme means the HSE will need more radiographers. Is there a plan in place to recruit them?

I am a very optimistic person by nature. I do not have a cynical bone in my body but this situation has left me feeling cynical. I was thrilled on the day of the demonstration, as were all the people who were gathered outside the gate, with the announcement that the scheme would be extended. What about all the PR the next day in the newspapers? I am saddened that the scheme will not be fully delivered, as the Minister said in his speech, until the end of 2015 and will be expanded on a phased basis.

I think that is unforgivable and is disrespectful to the women of Ireland. It was a PR stunt. I was enthusiastic about the Minister, and told the women about the announcement that the service would not be rolled out until 2015. Then I hear it will take a long time to roll out this service. I need answers from the Minister.