David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 37: To ask the Minister for Health his policy in relation to diagnostic and preventative screening for cancer patients and those needing screening for other conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1278/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The HSE National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) encompasses BreastCheck (the national breast screening programme) and CervicalCheck (the national cervical screening programme). The NCSS is preparing for the introduction of a national population-based colorectal cancer screening programme, which will be available to men and women aged between 65 and 69. International evidence does not recommend the introduction of a population based screening programme for prostate cancer at this time. The Department and the HSE are keeping emerging evidence under review including the results of randomised trials that are being conducted internationally. The embedding of best practice and quality assurance within cancer screening, in line with best international evidence, has been a strong focus of the development of cancer screening in Ireland. Further expansion of screening in accordance with the Programme for Government and international best practice includes the extension of the BreastCheck programme to provide screening to women aged between 65 and 69.

The national neonatal metabolic screening programme provides that all babies born in Ireland are screened for six medical conditions soon after birth. The conditions are Phenylketonuria; Homocystinuria; Maple Syrup Urine Disease; Classical Galactosaemia; Cystic Fibrosis; and Congenital Hypothyroidism. The neonatal screening programme enables potentially devastating diseases to be detected at a very early age and allows treatment and management to be commenced as quickly as possible. The policy on school health examinations forms part of the Best Health for Children guidelines, produced in 1999 and revised in 2006. These guidelines were produced after a rigorous evaluation of international literature, and a review of good practice in Ireland and abroad. A comprehensive training programme for staff working in this area was also developed. The policy is kept under review, and will be revisited in 2012 as part of the HSE work plan. New governance structures have also been put in place in relation to child health screening and surveillance in the HSE which will further improve the quality assurance of the process. In its 2007 review of child health in Europe, the World Health Organization commended the Best Health for Children approach that has been adopted by Ireland as an example of good practice. The Best Health for Children guidelines set out a clear timetable for child health checks and detail what is required at each stage. b I am working with the HSE to examine the extent of compliance with the guidelines in the context of the 2012 Service Plan. I am committed to ensuring the continued provision of evidence based screening programmes within the limitations of available resources.