James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 353: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the way the €20 million allocated for the continued implementation of the national cancer control programme will be allocated; the amount allocated to the colorectal cancer screening programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48520/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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As announced on Budget Day, an additional €20m has been allocated for the further development of cancer services in 2010. This funding will be used to enhance services for a number of site-specific cancers including lung cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, rectal cancer and brain and other central nervous system tumours. Funding is also being provided for the HPV vaccination programme for all girls in first year in secondary school and for staffing for two new radiotherapy facilities currently under construction at Beaumont and St James's Hospitals. These are on target to open by the end of 2010. The Health Service Executive's National Service Plan, when approved, will outline the detailed allocation of National Cancer Control Programme development funding for these initiatives.

I announced last Friday that a national colorectal screening programme for all persons aged 60 to 69 years will commence in early 2012. There will be a two year lead in phase to put in place the necessary infrastructure and human resources to support a quality assured screening programme. The National Cancer Screening Service will outline the allocation of funding across its screening programmes for 2010, including the funding required to implement colorectal screening, in its Service Plan which will be submitted to me by the Board.