Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Health when the national bowel cancer screening programme will be expanded to cover the broader age range of 55-74 year olds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44700/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I am very pleased to confirm that the colorectal screening programme will commence, as promised, on a phased basis in the fourth quarter of this year. This delivers on a key commitment of the Government.

Colorectal cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among both men and women in Ireland. Approximately 2,200 new cases are diagnosed each year, and it is cause of death in around 950 people each year. Colorectal screening works on two fronts: it provides early detection and therefore earlier and more effective treatment, and it helps to prevent cancer in the first place by detecting pre-cancerous growths such as polyps. It is therefore imperative that the programme commences and continues on a sustainable basis.

When fully implemented the programme will offer free screening to men and women aged 55-74. The programme will begin with the 60-69 age group, covering approximately some 500,000 people.

The screening programme is the first call/ recall screening programme in Ireland to be offered to men as well as women. Organising a national programme of this kind is very complex. To ensure quality and safety it is imperative that the programme is introduced in a carefully managed and monitored way to minimise risks to patients and maximise best clinical outcomes. Over time the phasing of the programme will allow development of colonoscopy capacity to cater for the full 55-74 year old population.