Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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832. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons that received an invitation to take part in BreastCheck on a quarterly basis from quarter 1 2020 to date in 2022; and the percentage of persons that accepted an invitation and subsequently attended a screening appointment in each of the specified periods in tabular form. [9863/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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833. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons that received an invitation to take part in BowelScreen on a quarterly basis from quarter 1 2020 to date in 2022; the percentage of persons that accepted an invitation and subsequently attended a screening appointment in each of the specified periods in tabular form. [9864/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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834. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons that received an invitation to take part in CervicalCheck on a quarterly basis from quarter 1 2020 to date in 2022; the percentage of persons that accepted an invitation and subsequently attended a screening appointment in each of the specified periods in tabular form. [9865/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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835. To ask the Minister for Health if he will review a report (details supplied); when this office will reopen to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9866/22]

Mary Butler (Waterford, 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.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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836. To ask the Minister for Health the total annual spend on BreastCheck in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9876/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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837. To ask the Minister for Health the total annual spend on CervicalCheck in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9877/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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838. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of reducing the BreastCheck screening age to 40; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9878/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I am fully committed to supporting our population screening programmes which are a valuablepart of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population. 

I am pleased to inform that, in line with commitments in the Programme for Government, BreastCheck are now implementing the commitment on age-extension so that all women aged between 50 to 69 years are invited for routine breast screening. BreastCheck invite this age category because international evidence shows the incidence and mortality from breast cancer in this age group means it is effective to screen women in this age range.  

The National Screening Service (NSS) also advises that BreastCheck delivers its services in line with international criteria for screening programmes, based on the best international evidence, which they kept under constant review.

Regarding any further changing or lowering the age eligibility for BreastCheck, it is important to note that any future decisions about changes to our national screening programmes, including reducing the age range in breast screening, will be made on the advice of our National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC). This independent expert group considers and assesses evidence in a robust and transparent manner, and against internationally accepted criteria. It is important we have rigorous processes in place to ensure our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards, and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms. 

A dedicated evidence assessment team in HIQA support the work of the NSAC and conduct evidence reviews and evaluations to inform the decisions of the NSAC. The financial cost is but one factor that is considered in the decision-making process. Due to the complex nature of the evaluation process and the criteria against which a decision is made, it would not be possible to accurately quantify the cost of expanding a screening service until a full evidential assessment was completed.

It may be of interest that the NSAC recently held its first 'Annual Call’ which gave the public  an opportunity to suggest new screening programmes or modifications to existing ones.I am looking forward to receiving recommendations from the NSAC once they have considered the submissions received, and I will be guided by their advice to ensure Ireland’s population-based screening programmes continues to evolve in line with new evidence and developments.

It is an important message to remind that screening is for healthy people without symptoms.  If anyone becomes aware of symptoms, or if they have concerns or worries, they should contact their GP who will arrange appropriate follow-up care. It is important that every woman is breast aware. This means knowing what is normal for them so that if any unusual change occurs, they will recognise it. The National Screening Service and BreastCheck have useful information in relation to breast health on their website.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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839. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of beds in Belmullet Community Hospital in each year since 2008, in tabular form; the array of treatments and care provided at the Belmullet campus in each year since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9879/22]

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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840. To ask the Minister for Health when the anticipated return from 12 to 20 beds, as was in place prior to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in Belmullet Community Hospital, will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9880/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 839 and 840 together.

As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.