Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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519. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the results/rollout of ongoing the PRAISE-U (PRostate Cancer Awareness and Initiative for Screening in the European Union) study; if there will be any efforts to bring in a free prostate cancer screening service similar to the existing BreastCheck and CervicalCheck programmes for breast and cervical cancers following the results of this study; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67316/25]

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.

The Programme for Government commits to advancing men’s health in tandem with the investment and progress seen in women’s healthcare. It also commits to research, implement and evaluate cancer prevention and early detection initiatives, including prostate cancer.

I would note that any proposed changes to Ireland’s screening programmes, including the potential introduction of a prostate cancer screening programme, will be facilitated through established evidence-driven 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.

NSAC continues to progress work to consider the further expansion of our cancer screening programmes and has submitted several requests to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

HIQA is currently focused on concluding a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) to examine a proposed extension of the BowelScreen programme to those aged 50-54 years. Work on this is at an advanced stage, with a report expected to be submitted to NSAC for consideration in December 2025.

Additionally, and at the request of NSAC, HIQA have also commenced a separate HTA to consider the proposals for the expansion of the BreastCheck programme. This review will comprise two elements; the proposed extension of the age range eligibility to those aged 45-49 and 70-74, and also the potential introduction of a standardised breast density notification.

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 multidisciplinary 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.

I have been informed that proposals for a prostate cancer screening programme have not yet been referred by NSAC to HIQA to undergo a HTA, pending the results of a number of ongoing European research initiatives. NSAC’s current priorities in terms of cancer screening are to conclude the BowelScreen and BreastCheck HTAs.

In this regard, it is worth noting that in late-2024, NSAC established a Cancer Screening Subgroup to provide additional expertise to support the Committee’s decision-making processes. The subgroup has developed a prioritisation framework, to provide an evidence-based approach to identifying which of the cancer screening proposals on the NSAC work programme should be next referred to HIQA for evidence review. The subgroup will use its framework to make recommendations to NSAC in early 2026.

In terms of the international evidence with regards to prostate cancer screening, under Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, an updated European Council (EC) Recommendation on Cancer Screening, was published in December 2022. The Recommendation calls, amongst other things, for member states to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of a screening programme using PSA testing for men, in combination with MRI scanning as a follow-up test.

My Department is coordinating Irish inputs into a four-year EU4Health-funded Joint Action project, titled EUCanScreen (2024-2028), which is aimed at coordinating research activities associated with the EC Recommendation across Europe.

Additionally, I welcome the involvement of Irish-based researchers in another EU4Health funded project, titled PRAISE-U, which is exploring the feasibility of risk-stratified screening for prostate cancer to help reduce morbidity and mortality caused by the disease, while avoiding overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment. For further information on the PRAISE-U project, can be found on its dedicated

The findings from the aforementioned EU studies will contribute to the overall evidence base for future consideration by NSAC, alongside the evidence available from comparable non-EU countries. In this regard, i note the recent recommendation by the UK National Screening Committee, which advised against the introduction of a population-based prostate cancer screening programme in the UK but is currently hosting a public consultation on a potential targeted screening programme.

Finally, I would 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.