Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to introduce the HPV 16/18 vaccine to prevent cervical cancer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23768/07]

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 111: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has plans to introduce a vaccination programme to prevent cervical cancer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24016/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 111 together.

The most effective strategy for the prevention of cervical cancer requires decisions based on an assessment of the relative contributions of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination and cervical screening in reducing the burden of both existing and projected cervical pre-cancerous changes and cervical cancer. Issues to be examined include the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of the vaccine for different age groups and for differing levels of screening provision and uptake.

As is being done in other jurisdictions, Ireland is now considering the potential role of HPV vaccination in addressing the problem of cervical cancer prevention. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) has recently undertaken a scientific assessment of the public health value of HPV following a request from my Department. NIAC and the National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS), agreed that this work needed to be complemented by a study of the cost effectiveness of the vaccine in the current Irish context. Accordingly, both organisations requested that the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) undertake this study.

One of the key functions of the Authority is the assessment of health technology, drugs and health promotion activities. When I have received the policy advice from HIQA and NCSS I will make the necessary decisions that arise from the advice.

A quality assured population based cervical screening programme aims to reduce cervical cancer in Ireland by approximately 80%. The NCSS has confirmed that it will have such a programme in place from January next year. A national cervical screening programme will still be required regardless of a decision on a HPV vaccination programme.