Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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605. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost to ensure universal access to dedicated menopause counselling supports and screening for cardiovascular osteoporosis risk factors. [49802/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Health, I am 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.

I would emphasise that any proposed changes to Ireland’s screening programmes will be facilitated through established evidence-driven protocols. The National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) is the independent expert group that assesses the evidence in a robust and transparent manner and against internationally accepted criteria, before making recommendations to myself as Minister.

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 relation to work currently being progressed by NSAC, I am pleased to note that the final reports from the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) on two separate Health Technology Assessment (HTA) processes to consider the potential introduction of a population-based screening programme for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in men aged 60 and the proposed expansion of the BowelScreen programme to those aged 50-54, are due to be submitted to NSAC for consideration in advance of their meetings in October and December 2025 respectively. I look forward to receiving recommendations from the Committee on both over the coming months.

In addition to this, I would highlight that at the request of NSAC, HIQA has commenced three new HTA processes to examine the evidence for proposed expansions to the BreastCheck programme, the potential introduction of a screening programme for Familial Hypercholesterolemia and calls for the addition of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) to the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme.

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.

NSAC holds annual Calls for Submissions, which invite proposals from all stakeholders and organisations, including members of the public, the HSE and other medical professionals, for the introduction of new screening programmes or changes to existing programmes. The 2025 Call for Submissions was launched in June and closed on 12 September 2025. The Committee will consider all submissions received at its upcoming meetings.

In relation to access to dedicated menopause counselling supports, as this is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

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.