Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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819. To ask the Minister for Health the reason persons over 69 years of age are not eligible for breast cancer screening. [46737/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I am fully committed to supporting our population screening programmes which are a valuable part of our health service. In this regard and in line with commitments in the Programme for Government, BreastCheck is currently implementing an age-extension project that will see all women aged between 50 to 69 years being invited for routine breast screening.

In relation to consideration of any further age changes, such as extending the age to people over the age of 69, it is vital we remember that breast screening is a population health screening measure. It is not an individual diagnostic test. The balance between the benefits of screening and the potential harms or risks to the population as a whole require careful, evidence-based consideration and balancing.

As with all our national screening programmes, BreastCheck delivers its services in line with international criteria for population-based screening programmes, which are kept under constant review. The balance between the benefits of screening and the potential harms or risks to the population as a whole require careful, evidence-based consideration and balancing.

Decisions about changes to our national screening programmes will be made on the advice of our National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC). This independent expert group considers the evidence for changes in a robust and transparent manner. The Committee’s role is to undertake an independent assessment of the evidence for screening for a particular condition against internationally accepted criteria and make recommendations accordingly. This ensures policy decisions are informed by the best available evidence and advice.

The NSAC is currently finalising plans for its first ‘annual call’ which will be announced later this year. Applications for proposals for new population based screening programmes and modifications to existing programmes, such changes in the age of those eligible for screening, will be welcomed from the public as well as the HSE, health professionals and other professional bodies. Further information on the 'annual call' will be published on the NSAC website.

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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820. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the BreastCheck website and the advice that was made available through that platform for women in view of the suspension of the BreastCheck service; and the information provided in relation to alternative measures that women could undertake during the Covid-19 restrictions. [46741/21]

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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821. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the BreastCheck website has now changed and appears to have been replaced by the HSE. [46742/21]

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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822. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the number of women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 after their BreastCheck was cancelled in 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46743/21]

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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823. To ask the Minister for Health if the reason BreastCheck appointments were cancelled in 2020 was due to the redeployment of staff for Covid-19 related assistance who would have normally conducted the BreastCheck service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46744/21]

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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824. To ask the Minister for Health if all BreastCheck appointments were cancelled in 2020; if BreastCheck appointments are now 12 months or more behind schedule; and the contingency plans that are in place to address the backlog in BreastCheck appointments. [46745/21]

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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825. To ask the Minister for Health the breakdown of those awaiting BreastCheck appointments by CHO area in tabular form. [46746/21]

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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826. To ask the Minister for Health the communication that was given to the women on the BreastCheck database in relation to the suspension of the service; the way they were communicated with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46747/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 820 to 826, inclusive, together.

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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827. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1175 of 9 September 2021, if he can provide details of the four units not providing phase III cardiac rehabilitation services; the reason these services are not being provided; when the services will resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46750/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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828. To ask the Minister for Health the status of cardiac rehabilitation services in each hospital that is supposed to offer the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46751/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.