Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position and timeframe on the national roll-out of BreastCheck by region; the budget spend on the roll-out by region with initial cost projections and the current cost projections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35482/06]

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. I have approved additional revenue funding of €2.3m to meet the additional costs of roll-out and an additional 69 posts have been approved. 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.

At a meeting with my Department recently, BreastCheck reported on significant progress that has been made in preparation for the roll-out. BreastCheck has appointed Clinical Directors for the Southern and Western regions and both will take up their positions today. The recruitment of Consultants and other staff, including Radiographers is under way. Construction teams have been appointed for the static units in University College Hospital Galway and South Infirmary/Victoria Hospital, Cork. Construction will commence at both sites on 6 November.

BreastCheck is not in a position to provide a breakdown by region of costs and timeframes in advance of essential elements of the roll-out being in place, including adequate staffing, effective training and quality assurance programmes. 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.