Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 282: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the cytology laboratories which will carry out testing for the roll-out of cervical cancer screening are all outside of Ireland; if laboratories here that are in the process of achieving accreditation will be included in the tendering process, subject to achieving accreditation, in order to protect competence, skills and jobs in this field here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14583/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The roll out of a national cervical screening programme is the most efficient population approach to preventing and controlling cervical cancer. The National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) is planning to roll out such a programme on a national basis around the middle of this year. 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 will be available free of charge to eligible women everywhere in the country. Approximately 230,000 women will be screened annually, assuming an 80% take up by eligible women. 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.

Additional revenue funding of €5.0m was allocated to the NCSS in 2007 for the roll-out of the programme and an additional €15.0m has been allocated in 2008. An additional 30 posts have been approved to facilitate integration and roll-out of the programme.

The Deputy's specific questions in relation to cytology laboratories are the responsibility of the National Cancer Screening Service. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Chief Executive Officer of the Service to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the matters raised.