187 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans for setting up a national health test for each person in the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34247/10]

In light of the current economic circumstances, I have no plans to establish a national scheme for health screening of the entire population.

One of the recommendations in the recently published Cardiovascular Policy Report is that a health technology assessment be carried out to evaluate the health and economic benefits of introducing systematic risk assessment programmes for patients considered to be at risk from cardiovascular disease and stroke. My Department is considering how best to advance this recommendation.