408. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health if she will consider implementing a fully funded DEXA screening programme for women over 50. [75036/26]

415. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Health if she will support the call for a fully funded DEXA screening programme for women over 50 (details supplied). [74986/26]

430. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health her current plans to ensure that DEXA scans for women over 50 are fully publicly funded. [75003/26]

449. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health whether consideration has been given to the introduction of a fully publicly funded national bone density screening programme, using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans, for women aged 50 and over; whether such a programme has been assessed by the National Screening Advisory Committee; and the clinical, financial or other barriers have been identified to its introduction. [75049/26]

453. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health if she will introduce a fully funded DEXA screening programme for women over 50 years of age to support the early detection and treatment of osteoporosis and reduce the incidence of preventable fractures. [75286/26]

472. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health if she will outline the Government's plans to introduce a fully funded national DEXA screening programme for women aged over 50 to support the early detection of osteoporosis; and if consideration has been given to expanding access to DEXA scanning through the public health system. [75153/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 408, 415, 430, 449, 453 and 472 together.

As Minister for Health, I am dedicated to enhancing Ireland’s population screening programmes, which are a vital component of our health services. They enable early treatment and care for many people, thereby enhancing the overall health of our community.

I would note that consideration of any proposed changes to Ireland’s screening programmes will be facilitated through established evidence-driven protocols.

The National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) is the 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.

It is important that we have rigorous processes in place to ensure our screening programmes are effective, quality assured, validated and operating to safe standards, and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.

NSAC holds annual Calls for Submissions, which invite all stakeholders, including members of the public, HSE and other medical professionals, to propose changes to Ireland’s screening programmes. As part of its 2025 Call for Submissions, NSAC received a proposal related to bone health screening, referencing the increased risk of osteoporosis amongst post-menopausal women.

After careful consideration of the evidence provided, NSAC concluded that the ongoing monitoring of risk factors, diagnosis and treatment for bone health issues, including Osteoporosis, should be facilitated through existing primary care services, which are delivered by professionals like GPs, nurses and other healthcare professionals.

The GP Access to Community Diagnostics (GPACD) Scheme is available for referrals by GPs to the full adult population, aged 16 years and over, delivering community-based radiology scans through contracted private providers, who deliver clinically appropriate diagnostic services in approved locations.

The scheme provides GPs with access to a defined list or scope of examinations, with the clinical examination scope reviewed and updated to ensure and maintain the delivery of an effective service, aligned with community needs and with growing demand.

The suite of scans provided through the GPACD scheme are those which target suspected diagnoses which are appropriate for case management within General Practice. Patients requiring access to scans not provided through the scheme continue to be referred to public hospitals, or via other referral pathways to access appropriate radiology diagnostics.

In 2025, almost 250,000 community-based radiology diagnostic scans (MRI, CT, DEXA and X Rays) were provided through the GPACD scheme, whilst this year, to end July, over 146,000 scans have been provided.

Finally, I would like to emphasise that population-based 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.