asked the Minister for Health the amount spent by health authorities on ophthalmic services in the year 1959-60, and the estimated amount for 1960-61.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Expenditure on Ophthalmic Services.
15.
The accounts furnished by health authorities to my Department do not show separately the expenditure on dental services and ophthalmic services, and special inquiries involving considerable examination of local records would be necessary to arrive at a precise division of costs under those headings. The expenditure on ophthalmic services in the years 1959-60 and 1960-61 is, however, estimated at £45,000 and £50,000, respectively. This expenditure is borne equally on local funds and on the Vote for my Department.
In order to avoid misunderstanding, I should perhaps mention that expenditure on the Optical Benefit Scheme operated by the Department of Social Welfare is about £40,000 a year.