Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 374: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if, in the situation where diagnostic breast cancer services will close in Sligo General Hospital by the end of 2008, she will confirm that the BreastCheck service will be available to all women in Counties Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal. [27415/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Based on the National Quality Assurance Standards for Symptomatic Breast Disease Services, and the fact that the BreastCheck screening programme will significantly reduce the number of symptomatic breast cancer presentations, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has designated eight specialist breast cancer centres nationally. The National Cancer Control Programme has identified University College Hospital Galway (UCHG) as one of the designated specialist cancer centres for the Western region. The Programme therefore will consolidate symptomatic breast cancer services in UCHG. This involves a transfer of the Sligo symptomatic breast service to UCHG.

BreastCheck commenced the screening process in the Western Region last May, with the provision of a mobile unit on the grounds of Roscommon County Hospital. I officially opened the BreastCheck static unit for the Western Region at University College Hospital Galway last December.

An additional €26.7 million capital funding was provided for the construction of two new static units, eight additional mobile units and the provision of state of the art digital equipment. A total of €15 million additional revenue funding has been allocated to cater for national roll-out of the programme. The full complement of 111 staff for roll-out has been approved and recruitment is underway. The screening sequence for roll out to individual counties will be dictated by BreastCheck's operational considerations such as maximising uptake, most efficient use of mobile and static units and radiographic personnel. The programme is designed to offer repeat screening within an interval of 21-27 months. Women in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal will be screened from a mobile digital screening unit linked to the Western Unit.