Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 224: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will consider arranging access to cervical smear tests, where appropriate, without charge for persons under the age of 25 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39708/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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CervicalCheck, the National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS), provides free smear tests to women aged 25 to 60. The CervicalCheck Programme Report published this year reported that over 284,800 women were screened during the period 1 September 2008 – 31 August 2009.

International best practice currently recommends that population-based cervical screening programmes should target women aged from 25 or 30 years to 60 or 65 years. The scientific literature would suggest that there is no additional public health benefit in starting screening below the age of 25 years and published research in fact has shown that the disadvantages of screening women under the age of 25 years may be greater than any potential benefit.

The NCSS keeps under constant review the evidence base, involving any research conducted in Ireland or internationally, that would influence the target population for CervicalCheck. CervicalCheck is a programme for women without symptoms. Irrespective of her age, any woman who has symptoms causing concern should seek the advice of her doctor.