Minister for Health Mary Harney today insisted she is fully committed to a nationwide cervical cancer screening programme.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has been requested to prepare a detailed plan for the national roll-out of the scheme, Ms Harney said.
Significant preparatory work is well under way involving new and improved cervical tests, improved quality assurance training and the preparation of a national population register, she said.
The Tánaiste added that an extra €9 million has been provided to the HSE for cancer services development in 2006.
"I consider that the programme should be best rolled out in the primary care setting, subject to affordable and acceptable arrangements being agreed," she said.
"A review of the contractual arrangements for the provision by general practitioners of publicly funded primary care services is being conducted at present, under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission and I have asked that the general practitioner elements of a national cervical screening programme be tabled at these discussions.
"Any remuneration arrangements agreed must be capable of delivering a high uptake among women. Payments must be primarily based on reaching acceptable targets," she said.
Ms Harney added that tailored initiatives to encourage take up among disadvantaged and difficult to reach groups must also be put in place.