Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 290: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason it takes so long to obtain results of smear tests as compared with the United Kingdom. [14125/04]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The number of smear tests carried out nationally has increased by almost 20% in recent years. To meet the increased demand additional cumulative funding of €11 million was provided by my Department since 2002 to enhance the laboratory and colposcopy services. The funding has enabled the laboratories to employ additional personnel, to purchase new equipment and to introduce new technology and thereby increase the volume of activity. In addition, a number of hospitals have undertaken initiatives such as contracting out the analysis of smear tests to external laboratories. These initiatives have resulted in a reduction in waiting times. For example, the waiting time for routine results at Cork University Hospital was reduced from 129 days at March 2003 to now less than 40 days.