Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
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704. To ask the Minister for Health the progress to date on extending the age group that can get access to bowel screening (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15043/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I am fully committed to supporting our population screening programmes, which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population. The current Programme for Government also commits to further extend the BowelScreen programme.

BowelScreen, the national bowel cancer screening programme was established in 2012. Since October 2023, the programme has invited men and women aged between 59-69 to take the free at-home screening test. Funding of €1.9m has been allocated to enable a further expansion of BowelScreen to include people aged 58 and 70 years. This will start in 2025, will be completed in 2026 and is an important part of a phased approach to expanding the screening age, in line with available capacity and resources. When full expansion is complete, people aged 55-74 will be invited for screening.

I am intent on advancing cancer screening commitments outlined in the Programme for Government, which will be facilitated through established protocols. The National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) is the independent expert group that considers proposed changes to Ireland’s screening programmes. NSAC assesses the evidence in a robust and transparent manner and against internationally accepted criteria, before making recommendations to myself as Minister for Health. The rigorous processes utilised by NSAC are critical to ensure that our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards, and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.

In this regard, I am pleased to report that NSAC continues to progress work to consider the further expansion of our cancer screening programmes. In 2024 and at the request of NSAC, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), which has a section dedicated to undertaking evidence synthesises on behalf of the Committee, began consideration of the evidence for a further expansion of the age range eligibility for the BowelScreen programme to those aged 50-54.

A report on the findings of HIQA’s Health Technology Assessment (HTA) process is expected to be submitted to NSAC for consideration later this year and I look forward to receiving a recommendation from the Committee shortly afterwards.

HTAs facilitate the assessment of relevant evidence and knowledge on the effects and consequences of healthcare technologies to guide decisions regarding the appropriate use of technology and efficient allocation of resources. They involve a multi-disciplinary assessment of the clinical, economic, ethical, legal and societal perspectives that may be impacted by the introduction of a new technology. They are time intensive and rigorous processes.

Finally, I would like to emphasise that population-based screening programmes are for people without symptoms. If anyone becomes aware of symptoms, or if they have concerns or worries, they should contact a medical professional.