Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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711. To ask the Minister for Health the reason those aged 70 years of age and older are refused bowel screening by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1152/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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BowelScreen, the National Bowel Screening Programme, was introduced in 2012 with a phased implementation plan targeting men and women aged 60 to 69. Initially testing every 3 years was involved and this has moved to 2-year testing intervals.

The intention is to extend the eligible age range for BowelScreen to all aged 55 to 74 years, in line with the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026. It is envisaged that rollout of the age extension will be on a phased basis from 2021.