Written answers

Tuesday, 11 October 2005

Department of Health and Children

Cancer Screening Programme

9:00 pm

Photo of   John Curran John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 184: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of women who have benefited from BreastCheck in Clondalkin and Lucan during the period 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. [28000/05]

Photo of   John Curran John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 185: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of BreastCheck services made available to women in Clondalkin and Lucan over the period 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. [28001/05]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 185 together.

The information requested by the Deputy is not collated by my Department. My Department has requested the director of BreastCheck to examine the matters raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.

Photo of   John Curran John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 186: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to extend the service of cervical screening to medical card holders free of charge under the equal opportunities childcare programme. [28002/05]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Cervical smear testing is not currently provided by GPs or family planning clinics under the scheme for medical card holders. However, where cervical smears form part of recognised protocols for the ongoing treatment of individual patient illnesses, they should be provided free of charge to eligible women under the general medical services, GMS, scheme. Any necessary follow-up treatment is available to all women, including medical card holders, within the public hospital system.

I am committed to the national roll-out of a cervical screening programme in line with international best practice. Following the publication of the international expert's report on the feasibility and implications of a national roll-out, my Department undertook a consultative process with relevant professional and advocacy stakeholders. My Department will now discuss options for roll-out of the programme with the Health Service Executive. The arrangements for cervical screening within the context of the GMS are among the issues which will be considered in the discussions which have commenced on the GP contract for publicly provided services.

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