Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 315: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the BreastCheck programme will be available in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7283/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am committed to ensuring that the BreastCheck service is rolled out to the remaining regions in the country as quickly as possible. I have allocated additional revenue funding of €8 million for this year to meet the additional costs involved. I have approved an additional 69 posts for roll-out. BreastCheck appointed the Clinical Directors for the South and West last November and has recently appointed three Consultant Radiologists, two Consultant Surgeons and two Consultant Histopathologists, all with a special interest in breast disease. The recruitment of Radiographers and other staff is underway.

I have also made available an additional €26.7m capital funding for the construction of two new clinical units and the provision of five additional mobile units and state of the art digital equipment. The first round of screening will commence in the West in the Spring which will take around 27 months to complete. The BreastCheck Programme is designed to offer repeat screening within an interval of 21-27 months.

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