John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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316. To ask the Minister for Health if provisions are being made to accommodate women with a free general practitioner visit and a repeat smear test who were previously within the 24 to 60 years of age bracket but are now over the limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22010/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am conscious of the need to provide reassurance to women who may have concerns about the results of a smear test they had through the national screening service. The clinical advice from the HSE and the Department of Health is clear that there is no evidence that the clinical and technical aspects of CervicalCheck have performed outside or below international standards or the quality guidelines set for the programme. However, where a woman has concerns, she can if necessary have a smear test with her GP. CervicalCheck will reimburse the GP for the consultation and any smear test and no charge will arise for the patient. Women who have recently completed with the programme and are now somewhat above the age range, but who are concerned, will not be excluded from these arrangements.