asked the Minister for Health if he will extend the full free benefits of the Health Acts to primary school children, other than those hospitalised as a result of a defect discovered at a school medical inspection.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Benefits of Health Acts for School Children.
Hospital, specialist, dental, ophthalmic and aural services are provided free of charge for all pupils of national schools in respect of defects discovered at school health examinations.
It would require a fundamental amendment of the Health Act, 1953 in order to enable health authorities to provide free health services for pupils of primary schools, as such, in respect of defects not discovered at school health examinations. I do not consider that I would be justified in sponsoring such an amendment of the Act in present circumstances. The Deputy will, of course, appreciate that most pupils of primary schools are entitled to free, or subsidised, health services for their medical condition on grounds other than their being pupils of such schools.