Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the contract for the cancer control programme's cervical screening testing, currently held by a company (details supplied) will be re-advertised; the criteria which will be used; if it is intended to award the contract to a single operator; if there is an indication that Irish laboratories will be eligible to tender; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26316/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) is responsible for the operation of CervicalCheck, the national cervical screening programme. CervicalCheck offers free smear tests in a primary care setting to 1.1 million eligible women living in Ireland aged 25-60 years. Screening is offered to women aged 25-44 every three years, and on a five yearly basis to women in the age group 45-60.

The NCSS awarded the contract for laboratory testing services for the CervicalCheck cancer screening programme in June 2008 following a rigorous procurement process conducted under EU procurement guidelines. The contract was for a period of two years with an option to renew for a further two years. Consideration will be given to re-advertisement of the tender, including all associated issues, towards the end of 2009.