Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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2533. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on plans to extend the cohort eligible for screening under the National Bowel Screening Programme, BowelScreen; when those age 74 years will be eligible for screening under the BowelScreen programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46598/25]

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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2534. To ask the Minister for Health if the BowelScreen programme has given consideration to extending the screening programme to those beyond 74 years-of-age, on a case-by-case basis; if not, if BowelScreen is keeping research supporting this under consideration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46599/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 2533 and 2534 together.

I am committed to supporting our cancer 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 Programme for Government commits to extend the BowelScreen cancer screening programme.

BowelScreen, the national bowel screening programme, invites men and women aged between 59-70 to take the free at-home screening test. Funding of €1.9 million was allocated in Budget 2026 to support the extension of BowelScreen to individuals aged 58 to 70. The first part of this extension, to those aged 70, was successfully completed in April 2025, with those aged 58 expected to start receiving invitations later this year. This 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 would note that a proposed further extension of BowelScreen, to those aged 50-54 is currently under consideration. This will be facilitated through evidence-driven protocols, namely the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC), which 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 say that the final report from the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) on their Health Technology Assessment (HTA) process to examine a proposed expansion of the BowelScreen programme to those aged 50-54 is expected to be submitted to NSAC for consideration in advance of their meeting in December 2025. 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 in order 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 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 immediately.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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2535. To ask the Minister for Health when biopsies for DMG and DIPG gliomas began in Ireland. [46615/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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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.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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2536. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children diagnosed with DMG and DIPG since Ireland began carrying out biopsies on these particular tumours, broken down by year. [46616/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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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.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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2537. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children diagnosed with DMG and DIPG that have undergone biopsies since they began in Ireland, broken down by year. [46617/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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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.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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2538. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children who have received a place on a clinical trial since biopsies began in Ireland for DMG and DIPG, broken down by year. [46618/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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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.