Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator and others for raising this issue, including constituents. Some people in Louth were on to me as well about this particular issue. The script that has been provided here, by the HSE or whoever, does not reflect what the Minister has said. I speak with the authority of the Minister and I can state categorically that he has instructed the HSE to write to every woman it contacted about this proposal to tell them that it is not going ahead. While we will increase supports in parts of the country where the supports are lower, no area will see its current level of support decrease. That is direct from the Minister. I thank him for that.

I also thank everybody for raising this issue. People on the administrative side of the State who do a huge amount of good work need to be aware that these issues are of critical importance to all of us, including women. Last night when I spoke to the Tánaiste he reminded us that he was the Minister for Health who introduced the scheme. There is a huge political commitment to this. The women of Ireland and breast cancer survivors must be assured that we have their back and we will support this scheme. I again thank Senator McGahon for raising it.