Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 79: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will proceed with the introduction of the cervical cancer vaccination programme in view of the fact that it was recommended by the national immunisation advisory board and the Health Information and Quality Authority, who estimate that 52 deaths per annum could be averted by its use; the reason she is no longer confident that the Health Service Executive could procure this vaccine on a cost effective basis; the reason the figure of €100 per vaccine is costed by HIQA yet newspaper reports indicate a cost of €39 per dose in Portugal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42536/08]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 128: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when she will introduce the HPV vaccine for cervical cancer for 12 year old girls in a school-based programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42437/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 79, 128, 273 and 274 together.

As I have already indicated, I accept fully the expert advice provided to me in support of the introduction of a cervical cancer vaccination programme. However, I also have a responsibility as Minister to consider this and many other competing priorities within the overall resources available to the health services. My immediate responsibility in relation to cervical cancer is to women who have already been exposed to HPV and who may already have precancerous changes or undetected cervical cancer. Vaccination is a long term investment which will deliver improved health outcomes and treatment savings in 15 to 30 years. All of the clinical advice available to me indicates that the national roll-out of a cervical screening programme should be my number one priority. The National Cervical Screening Programme, CervicalCheck, is being implemented with effect from September of this year. The full year cost of this programme is €35m.

In relation to the cost of the vaccine, it is a matter for the Health Service Executive to go through the normal procurement procedures to select an appropriate supplier who can make the vaccine available at the most advantageous price. In its assessment HIQA quoted an estimated figure of €390 per person for the provision of the three-course vaccination programme. The HSE in its report to me estimated the cost at €16m in a full year, assuming purchase cost of the vaccine of €11m and the balance being pay and other administrative costs. The actual purchase price in Ireland can only be established when the HSE has completed the procurement process. I am fully committed to keeping the introduction of a HPV vaccination programme under active review as we proceed to implement the National Cancer Programme.