MINISTER FOR Health Mary Harney has said she would “not be turning down” a €1 million offer by the Irish Cancer Society to establish a national bowel cancer screening programme.
The charity pledged to donate the funding which would contribute to a national screening programme for men and women aged 55-74 living in Ireland and could save more than 300 lives each year.
Chairman of the Irish Cancer Society Bill McCabe said the group would offer the money over the next two years following the budget in December which he expected would include provisions for a bowel-screening service.
However, Mr McCabe denied that the society would “part with any money until we are confident that the bowel cancer screening programme in Ireland will meet the highest possible standards”.
Asked about the offer yesterday, Ms Harney said: “They made the offer and the money can only be accepted if we’re going to roll out the programme.
“The programme as it is currently structured would be extraordinarily expensive. I want to see if the Health Information Quality Authority, looking at all the screening programmes, can see how this programme can fit in within the resources that are available.
“But clearly I would certainly not be turning down that money. I think it’s generous of the Cancer Society to offer this money. I have very much welcomed it.
“If it helps us to start the programme it would be very welcome indeed, because the first part of the programme is sending the kits out to the individuals that would be screened.”