Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 176: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on the fact that medical cytology students at Dublin Institute of Technology are being trained at public expense for a service that will be contracted to a US-based company by the National Cancer Screening Service; the action he will take to protect the investment of his Department and to ensure that the students concerned will be able to use their skills here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22390/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) is an independent statutory agency under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Health and Children and it is not open to me to intervene in its affairs or decisions. I understand that the NCSS has announced a preferred bidder for the provision of laboratory testing services for the National Cervical Screening Programme. Pending completion of the procurement process and clarification of future staffing requirements in cytology services it is not possible to assess fully the implications of the decision by the NCSS for the future employment opportunities of graduates of the Bachelor of Science (Medical and Molecular Cytology) at Dublin Institute of Technology.

The employment of graduates from the programme is a matter for the HSE, and private employers in this area and other related fields.