Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the centres here where cervical smear tests are available for public patients; the waiting list in each for the test; the average waiting time for tests to be analysed and reported back to the patients; the waiting list and average analysis time for secondary test in the case of abnormalities in the first; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15523/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 141: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the steps being taken to speed up the cervical smear test system to increase the chances of early detection of cancers or other abnormalities. [15524/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the Health Service Executive hospitals and centres which previous to 1 April 2008 provided cervical smear tests for public patients and are no longer doing so; and the reason for not doing so in each case. [15525/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason the Coombe Women's Hospital, Dublin is no longer providing cervical smear tests for public patients, while the private facility on the campus is providing tests for private patients. [15526/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 to 143, inclusive, together.

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 smear tests are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE). Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy in this regard.