Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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304. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many women from across the country who are awaiting urgent breast ultrasounds and mammograms are arriving to their appointment only to be informed that there are no slots available and they will be issued with a follow-up assessment in the coming weeks; and if he will engage with BreastCheck and other screening clinics across the country to address this situation given this practice is the cause of unnecessary travel expenses and further stress and anxiety for the person. [37486/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The National Action Plan on Covid-19 identifies the continued delivery of cancer care as a priority. While there has been a reduction in service capacity due to essential physical distancing and infection prevention and control measures, cancer services have continued throughout the pandemic. This includes diagnostic services such as Symptomatic Breast Disease Clinics , to which women can be referred by their GP if there is a suspicion of breast cancer. These clinics continued to operate and urgent cases were prioritised in line with the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme National Guidelines.  We have not received any reports in relation to problems with the availability of diagnostics for women attending Symptomatic Breast Disease Clinics.

In relation to breast screening services,  a phased reintroduction of BreastCheck commenced on 27 October.  BreastCheck invites participants to attend for an appointment at a scheduled time and they advise that they are not aware of any reports of delays in these assessments.  BreastCheck actively encourages women to let them know if they cannot make an appointment so it can be re-scheduled and/or the timeslot offered to someone else.   BreastCheck have also implemented a new text system to maximise appointment attendance and to improve communications with attendees.