Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 93: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the reported 30,000 backlogged smear tests waiting to be examined here; if she will confirm reports that these backlogged tests are to be sent to the US to be processed; her views on plans for a national cervical cancer screening programme; her further views on whether without the means to process tests that a national programme is meaningless; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12067/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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It is my objective to have an effective national cervical screening programme rolled out, beginning late this year. This will result in a substantial reduction in the incidence of cervical cancer. For that purpose, on 1 January 2007, I established a National Cancer Screening Service which amalgamates BreastCheck and the Irish Cervical Screening Programme (ICSP). The total allocation to the new Service is €33m; this is a 71% increase on the 2006 allocation to the Programmes. This includes additional funding of €5m for 2007 to the Service to commence roll out of the ICSP by the end of the year.

The National Cancer Screening Service is planning to have cervical screening managed as a national call/recall programme via effective governance structures that provide overall leadership and direction, in terms of quality assurance, accountability and value for money. All elements of the programme, call/recall, smear taking, laboratories, colposcopy and treatment services will be quality assured, organised and managed to deliver a single integrated national service. The Service is preparing for national roll-out later this year based on a turnaround time of four weeks for programme smears. The Service will develop new contractual arrangements for tests in 2008, which will include service level agreements to achieve this objective and has my full support in this regard.

The current delays in turnaround times for laboratory test results are not acceptable. I understand that the HSE is working with the hospitals concerned to clear the backlog by referring smears to accredited laboratories in the US. The HSE has informed my Department that it has reviewed hospital services, including cytology, and is planning on the basis of a 4 week turnaround time in reporting. I have requested the HSE to achieve this target as quickly as possible.