Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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396. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to extending the free cervical smear testing programme to include persons under 25 years of age or to extending the scheme such that a person under 25 years of age who requires a smear test, based on family history, can receive one through the scheme. [5570/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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CervicalCheck, the National Cervical Screening Programme, was introduced in 2008 and offers free smear tests to women aged 25-60. This is in line with international best practice.

Invasive cervical cancer is extremely rare in women aged under 25, with less than 5 women in this age group being diagnosed with this condition in Ireland each year. While changes in the cells of the cervix are very common for those under 25, in the vast majority of cases these changes will settle and return to normal without intervention. If the screening age was lowered to invite those under 25 for smear tests, young women could be subjected to unnecessary treatment that could have potential long-term negative effects on their health and fertility.

My Department encourages all women aged under 25 to be vigilant about their health and to consult their GP immediately if they have any symptoms which would raise the suspicion of cervical cancer. If necessary, their GP will refer them to a gynaecology clinic for further investigation. Similarly it is recommended that any woman concerned about cervical cancer on the basis of family history should discuss this with their GP.

My Department also encourages all 12-18 year old schoolgirls to avail of the free HPV vaccination which aims to protect against cervical cancer and which is offered in second level schools.