Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to introduce routine screening to detect blood pressure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6188/07]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to introduce routine screening to detect heart disease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6190/07]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 171 together.

Since 1999 the Government has committed over €60 million towards the implementation of the strategy "Building Healthier Hearts" the current national strategy for heart disease. While mass screening of the population for heart disease and blood pressure was not a recommendation in the Strategy, responsibility for risk assessment and the subsequent identification and management of those at higher risk was.

Heartwatch, a pilot programme in general practice for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, was established in 2002 in partnership with the former health boards, the Irish College of General Practitioners and the Irish Heart Foundation and has enrolled over 14,000 patients. This programme continues to be provided by the Health Service Executive.

My Department is engaging with the Health Service Executive in an audit and review of the implementation of the current Cardiovascular Strategy. The Department is aware of emerging evidence on hypertension screening and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. These issues will be considered in the context of the current review and the possible development of a new Cardiovascular Strategy.