Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 155: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her proposals to continue the roll out of BreastCheck; the proportion of the population which is currently covered; when the service will be available in all areas of the country and to all women; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28797/05]

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 194: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she will take to introduce a breast screening programme throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28602/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 194 together.

BreastCheck, the national breast screening programme, commenced in 2000 and currently covers the eastern, north-eastern, midland and part of the south-eastern regions of the country. There are approximately 160,000 in the target age group in these regions.

The roll out of the national breast screening programme to the remaining regions in the country is a major priority in the development of cancer services. A design team has been appointed to work up detailed plans for two new clinical units, one at the South Infirmary/Victoria Hospital, Cork and one at University College Hospital, Galway. It is anticipated that, subject to obtaining satisfactory planning approval, the design process, including the preparation of the tender documentation, will be completed by mid-2006. Approximately €21 million capital funding has been made available and my Department is in discussions with BreastCheck about the revenue requirements for the programme.

There are approximately 130,000 women in the target population for screening in the southern and western regions and it is expected that screening will commence in these regions in 2007. This will ensure that all women in the 50 to 64 age group in every county have access to breast screening and follow up treatment where appropriate.

When the national roll out of the programme is sufficiently developed and it is assured that a quality service is being delivered at national level, consideration will be given to including older women and continuing the screening of women in the programme who have reached 65 years of age. There is no evidence of the value of population based breast screening programmes for women under 50 years of age and there are no plans to extend the programme to this age group. Any woman, irrespective of her age or residence, who has immediate concerns or symptoms should contact her GP who, where appropriate, will refer her to the symptomatic services in her area.