Three more counties are to receive the BreastCheck programme this year, the Minister for Health and Children announced today.
Mr Martin announced the extension of the programme to counties Wexford, Kilkenny and Carlow and said about 19,000 women in the 50-64 age bracket would be invited for screenings.
Around 9,500 women per annum will be invited for screening once the programme is fully operational.
In relation to screening in the remaining counties the Minister said the Board of BreastCheck has submitted a business plan to the Department of Health and they will meet shortly to discuss the plan.
The Labour Party's Health spokesperson, Ms Liz McManus, welcomed the announcement but criticised the Government for failing to deliver on his commitment to deliver the BreastCheck programme nationwide by 2002.
"Hundreds of thousands of women at risk of breast cancer are now being asked to wait again," she said.
