Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 358: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm that her target of early 2007 for the roll-out of BreastCheck is defunct once again; her views on whether 2007 is by no means certain and that this will mean the further deaths of women; her further views on whether this is unacceptable as there was adequate evidence in 2000 for having a nationwide scheme then (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33203/06]

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 a quality assured 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.

At a meeting with Department officials last week, BreastCheck reported on significant progress that has been made in preparation for the roll-out. Further discussions are planned. Additional revenue funding of €2.3m has been made available to BreastCheck to meet the additional costs of rollout and an additional 69 posts have been approved. BreastCheck has appointed Clinical Directors for the Southern and Western regions and both will take up their positions in November of this year. The Clinical Directors are currently undergoing additional training in relation to their role. The recruitment of Consultants and other staff, including Radiographers is underway.

BreastCheck also requires considerable capital investment in the construction of two new clinical units and in the provision of five additional mobile units and state of the art digital equipment. I have made available an additional €21m capital funding to BreastCheck for this purpose. BreastCheck reported last week that construction teams have been appointed for the static units in University College Hospital Galway and South Infirmary/Victoria Hospital, Cork and mobilisation meetings are scheduled to take place in both locations this week. 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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 359: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when an occupational therapist will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33209/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 360: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the way in which it is proposed to supply a person (details supplied) in County Kildare with appropriate educational support therapies in view of the fact that their current provider referred them to another Health Service Executive body in November 2006 that is not resourced to provide autism spectrum programmes, due to resource issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33276/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 361: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the length of time it takes applications to the Health Service Executive for approvals for eye tests for medical card holders in the HSE west region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33277/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Question 362: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will approve the appointment of an additional orthodontist for the South Tipperary community care area; if additional funding will be provided for the service; if she will revise the guidelines used to assess children for orthodontic treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33278/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Question 363: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will approve the appointment of a second audiologist for the South Tipperary community care area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33279/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.