Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am privileged to be on the board of directors of the Cara organisation, which is based in Tralee but is a national organisation that promotes the inclusion of people with disabilities in physical activity. It has had remarkable success in recent years. I pay tribute to Niamh Daffy, the CEO, who was identified as one of the most influential women in sport in Ireland. It is a tribute to what she and the organisation have achieved, and I congratulate her on that.

I want to raise the fact the HPV vaccine has been shown to lead to a 90% reduction in cervical cancer. It is a tribute to Laura Brennan and a tribute to the people who have campaigned tirelessly for the HPV vaccine to be taken up in this country. It is wonderful that over 80% of young people now get the HPV vaccine, and we need to get that to 95%, 96% or even 100%, if possible. It is a proven and documented vaccine and a report in The Irish Timestoday shows how successful it is.

On a Commencement matter in the House three or four weeks ago, I raised with the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, the issue that, for those who do not get the HPV vaccine for their children and decide a couple of years later it is a good idea to do so, there is a cost of between €400 and €600. That is another barrier to people getting the HPV vaccine. The Minister of State very kindly responded that this is going to be eliminated and that cost is not going to be a barrier for people taking the HPV vaccine at any stage.That was six weeks ago. We still have not heard any detail on it. It is great when we table a Commencement matter in the House and get a positive answer but the follow-up is critical. I want the Leader to make contact with the Minister for Health to know exactly when we will have an announcement of the elimination of the cost of the HPV vaccine.