Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 254: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when breast screening will be available to women in the west and north west; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21042/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I have met with representatives of BreastCheck and they are fully aware of my wish to have the programme rolled out to the remaining regions in the country as quickly as possible. For this to happen, essential elements of the roll out must be in place including adequate staffing, effective training and quality assurance programmes. Capital funding in the region of €21m has been made available to provide static screening units and five mobile units. My Department made additional revenue funding of €2.3m available to BreastCheck this year and approval has been given for an additional 69 posts to facilitate roll-out. BreastCheck is in the process of shortlisting applicants to construct the new clinical units at the South Infirmary/Victoria Hospital, Cork and University College Hospital Galway. BreastCheck recently interviewed for Clinical Directors for both regions and has commenced the recruitment process for other essential staff.

The BreastCheck clinical unit in the Western Area at University College Hospital Galway will have two associated mobile units. The area of coverage is counties Galway, Sligo, Roscommon, Donegal, Mayo, Leitrim, Clare and Tipperary North Riding. 57,588 women are in the target population for invitation to screening, or 28,794 per annum. This is expected to result in the detection of in excess of 141 cancers per year in the first round of screening and a minimum of 71 per year in the subsequent rounds. BreastCheck is confident that the target date of next year for the commencement of roll out to the Southern and Western regions will be met.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 255: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she will publish the Strategy for Cancer Control in Ireland; her plans to introduce a screening programme for bowel cancer for 60 to 69 year olds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21043/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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National population based screening programmes for cancer are considered where clear evidence exists of benefit to the health of the whole population to be screened. There is evidence in relation to some specific cancers which show that population based screening can improve population health in terms of survival, morbidity and quality of life. Population based screening programmes for two specific cancers, breast and cervical, have demonstrated their efficacy and planning is under way for the national roll out of these two programmes to all regions in the country.

I have received a Strategy for Cancer Control in Ireland 2006 from the Chairman of the National Cancer Forum. As part of this work, the Forum developed a framework for evidence based decision making in relation to the introduction of population based screening programmes and applied the agreed criteria to colorectal cancer screening. My Department is currently examining the Strategy with a view to bringing proposals to Government shortly. I will publish the Strategy shortly thereafter.