Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 73: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the detail of the cervical cancer screening programme, scheduled for rollout throughout the State from January 2008, particularly with regard to eligibility, cost and screening intervals; if she is satisfied that this programme will fully comply with international best practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27838/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The National Cancer Screening Service is planning to roll out the National Cervical Screening Programme on a national basis in early 2008. I have allocated additional revenue funding of €5 million to the Service this year for this purpose and an additional 30 posts have been approved. It is expected that approx. 240,000 women will be screened annually. Women aged 25 to 44 years old will be screened every 3 years. Women aged 45 to 60 will be screened every 5 years.

The 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.