LIFFEY VALLEY WORKERS FIGHT BACK

Breast Cancer Screening Motion

In 2020 Ireland had the 5th highest mortality rate for female breast cancer in the EU and the 8th highest incident rate. This is unacceptable and something we can change. Last September the European Commission recommended that breast cancer screening be offered to women between the ages of 45 to 74. At present, Breastcheck only screens women aged between 50 and 69. Recently I submitted a motion calling on the government to:

● Introduce screening for breast cancer from the age of 40 through publicly funded & run programmes

Since October, Liffey Valley staff have been charged to park when they go to work. Those who drive are facing a minimum of €600 a year in parking fees.

These charges are being brought in by Hines Ireland which is one of the biggest vulture funds in the world with $90.3 billion of investment assets under management

Retail workers are already a low-paid group of workers who are now facing an effective pay cut during a worsening cost-of-living crisis.

People Before Profit will continue to support the Liffey Valley Workers’ protest against staff car parking charges. Gino Kenny TD has raised this issue in the Dáil with the Taoiseach. Cllr Madeleine Johansson brought forward a motion to South Dublin County Council to support the staff which was passed unanimously. The motion calls on Liffey Valley management to reverse the decision to charge staff for parking.

● Guarantee immediate access to diagnostics services for young women at risk of breast cancer & ensure access to a triple assessment for young women who present with possible breast cancer

● Immediately revise the criteria for access to genetic testing so that all women at high risk of BRCA related breast cancer have access to genetic testing and counselling in the public health system

● Initiate a publicly funded education programme in schools around breast examination

These changes are vital and if implemented they will save lives. Cancer screening services have been severely impacted over the course of the Covid pandemic, it is important that we make sure the government prioritise women’s health.