Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that many general practitioner practices have not been supplied the kits necessary to carry out the tests under the national cervical screening programme; when the programme will be implemented and available nationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32273/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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On 1 September 2008 the National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) announced the availability of CervicalCheck, the National Cervical Screening Programme. The Programme will provide free smear tests through primary care settings to the 1.1 million women living in Ireland aged between 25 and 60 years. A successful national programme in Ireland has the potential to cut current mortality rates from cervical cancer by up to 80%. In announcing the Programme, the NCSS made it clear that it would take some weeks to register participating medical practitioners and achieve national coverage. It is anticipated that national coverage will be achieved in the coming weeks.

The registration of smear takers is an important quality assurance element. All applications are being processed as quickly as possible. The Programme office is currently receiving an average of 80 contracts a day. There is an inevitable interval between an application being submitted and confirmation of registration being issued as quality checks, including Irish Medical Council status and Primary Care Reimbursement Fund registration, are confirmed. On receipt of the completed contract from smear takers, starter packs of supplies including smeartaking kits, are issued directly to each practice or clinic. To date the NCSS has issued 1,250 kits to smear takers. The NCSS is committed to establishing CervicalCheck on a national basis as quickly as possible. I welcome the commencement of this process and know that the Programme is receiving widespread national support.