Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Garvey has made some very interesting and valid points. I thank her for giving me the opportunity to update the House on this important matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. The Minister for Health and I are fully committed to supporting our population health screening services, which are a valuable part of our health service.

It is good to see that CervicalCheck screenings are back to pre-Covid levels. I acknowledge the effort being made by the staff at CervicalCheck, primary care services, GPs and laboratory services in achieving this level of activity, despite the difficulties they have faced. This positive situation is also testimony to the women across the country who took up their screening invitations and attended for this important test. Importantly, the focus of the resumption of cancer screening services includes the management of capacity across the whole of screening practice, which includes follow-up assessments and treatments.

The Senator has raised very difficult questions around this simple issue. If someone has a cervical check done, the results should be made available as quickly as possible and should not be on somebody's desk. If the Senator sends me details of the case, I will follow it up in the Department.