asked the Minister for Health whether he is prepared to extend school medical inspection to all children under the age of fourteen.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Medical Inspection.
17.
I presume the Deputy refers to children under the age of 14 years who have left national school and are now in post-primary schools.
I am not prepared, at this stage, to extend school medical inspections to post-primary schools because I consider that priority in the child health service should be given to improving urgently the pre-school service for all children and the existing school health service in national schools.
All children under 16 years of age with specified long-term health defects would, however, benefit from the provisions in the Heath Bill providing for completely free hospital and specialist treatment for such diseases.
Does the Minister not consider it inconsistent to make it compulsory for a child to have to be registered at a national school before he can avail of the SMI services? Would the Minister consider allowing children not of school-going age to qualify under this scheme?
We intend to provide better organisation for pre-school children for a number of examinations before they come to school. That is one of the principal stages in the advance of the health services which will take place under the new health legislation.
Any effort is bound to be an improvement on what we have at the moment.
I have already indicated to the House that one of my priorities over the next four years is the improvement of the child health services and preventive measures. They are designed to keep children healthy.