Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the roll out of BreastCheck around the country per centre and the latest cost estimates of each centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17600/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The extension of BreastCheck is a major priority of mine. In advance of commissioning of the static unit in the West, screening commenced in the West in May last. I would encourage all women who are invited by BreastCheck to avail of this important service.

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. The full complement of 111 staff for roll-out has been approved. 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 static units at the South Infirmary/Victoria Hospital in Cork and University College Hospital Galway are on schedule for hand-over in September followed by a three week commissioning period. They will be operational in October. In relation to the cost estimates for each centre, my Department has requested the CEO of the NCSS to reply directly to the Deputy.