Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the estimated full cost per year for the roll-out of bowel screening; when the national bowel screening programme will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13108/09]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the estimated full cost per year of the roll-out of bowel screening; when the national bowel screening programme will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13414/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 176 together.

The Expert Group on Colorectal Screening was established by the National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) to study the medical and scientific evidence concerning screening for colorectal cancer and to make recommendations to the Board of the NCSS about the potential benefits of introducing a population-based screening programme for this condition in Ireland. In December 2008, I received the Final Report of the Expert Group. The Report indicated that there would be substantial capital and revenue costs associated with such a programme.

The NCSS has also requested the Health Information and Quality Authority to conduct a Health Technology Assessment on a colorectal screening programme. This is an important element of the overall assessment process. I expect this to be completed shortly, at which stage I will be in a position to give further consideration to the introduction of a colorectal screening programme and the resources that would be necessary for this.