asked the Minister for Health if he will outline in detail the optical treatment facilities which are available to primary school children; (a) the number of opticians available to the primary school sector; (b) the waiting period for optical treatment for such children; and (c) the approximate number of such children waiting for optical treatment.
Written Answers. - Optical Treatment Facilities.
615.
Sight testing of national school children is carried out as part of the school medical examination service. Where defects come to light children are referred to ophthalmologists for examination. If spectacles are required they are provided free of charge through registered opticians or ophthalmologists participating in the health board scheme.
(a) The number of registered opticians participating in the scheme is approximately 330; (b) The waiting period for optical treatment (examination by an ophthalmologist) varies generally between one month and six months although in one particular health board it can be up to 16 months; (c) The approximate number of primary school children awaiting optical treatment is 7,700.