Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on population health screening programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41400/06]

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on primary and secondary screening for preventable diseases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41401/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 107 together.

Screening is a service provided to apparently healthy people so that some who may go on to develop the disease may be diagnosed and treated effectively. The aim is to reduce the number of people suffering and dying from a specified health condition. As a process, screening has risks and benefits and is not without cost. My Department has an obligation to minimise risk and maximise benefit as efficiently as possible.

The challenge for screening programmes is that there is a consistent and reliable approach to the criteria relating to the effectiveness and quality of screening programmes. Equally valid is the need to ensure that screening programmes are tailored to population health needs and that they deliver tangible health benefits.

Screening can be provided at the population level (comprehensive programmes that are population based and include recruitment, recall, follow-up and timely assessment of people with positive tests.) Examples include cancer screening (breast and cervical), newborn screening for congenital abnormalities e.g. Phenylketonuria (PKU), child health screening. Screening is also provided to prevent complications of disease especially related to chronic diseases. Examples include diabetic retinopathy screening, and the identification of risk factors for cardiovascular disease including stroke through primary care.

There are internationally recognised criteria for the provision and delivery of screening programmes e.g. those set by the World Health Organisation. My Department is actively considering the most appropriate ways to monitor new developments in screening and how they should be evaluated.