Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 290: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the availability of BreastCheck in County Cavan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38589/06]

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 291: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the availability of BreastCheck in County Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38590/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 290 and 291 together.

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 €8 million for 2007 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. This investment will support the roll out to the South and West commencing in the Spring of next year.

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. The recruitment of Consultants and other staff, including Radiographers, is underway. Construction teams have been appointed for the static units in University College Hospital Galway and South Infirmary/Victoria Hospital, Cork. Construction commenced in Cork on 3 November and in Galway on 7 November.

As regards the roll out to specific counties, my Department has requested the Director of the Programme to respond directly to the Deputy.