The national breast-screening programme has responded to criticisms that the service is behind schedule and failing to reach women nationally.
In a statement yesterday, a BreastCheck spokeswoman defended the service and said phase one was operating in the Eastern Regional Health Authority area, the North Eastern Health Board and the Midland Health Board areas and its full cycle would be completed at the end of this year.
Project teams had been set up between BreastCheck and the health boards in the western and southern regions and detailed planning was under way to implement the service to all women.
At a National Women's Council press conference on Tuesday, Ms Deirdre O'Connell, Europa Donna Ireland, the Irish breast cancer campaign, said BreastCheck was behind schedule in reaching the target population for phase one.
BreastCheck said that in phase one, 63,000 women between the ages of 50 and 64 had been invited for screening. "An uptake rate of greater than 70 per cent has been achieved, exceeding international standards," the spokeswoman said.