Gabrielle McFadden (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I also raise the issue of the CervicalCheck helpline which has been raised. Between 11,000 and 12,000 calls have been made to the helpline but only about one third of these calls have been returned. The helpline has stated calls from women who had a diagnosis of cancer are given priority, which is proper order. In recent days, 500 calls were made to people who were concerned about their tests. The CervicalCheck helpline could not give a date, however, as to when the rest of the calls would be addressed. That is not good enough. The Minister has made funds and resources available to GPs to look after patients who have concerns and to do repeat smear tests.

While the Minister is busy and should not necessarily be requested to attend the House, would it be possible for Members to get a briefing or update on where we are at with this helpline? We must not forget the thousands of women whose lives have been saved because of smear testing. That should not go unmentioned. We must urge women to continue to have smear tests done.