asked the Minister for Health his views on the curtailment of medical and dental services to national schools in County Galway; and the reason such services have been curtailed.
Written Answers. - County Galway Medical and Dental Services.
104.
There has been no curtailment of the medical and dental services to national schools in County Galway. At present the school medical examination is provided at three yearly intervals and the aim is to reduce this to every two years. However, due to expansion of the developmental paediatric programme there is a staff shortage and it is not possible to achieve this at present. The dental service has been reorganised and priority is given to (a) the relief of pain for all eligible patients (b) treatment for those who are handicapped or medically at risk (c) primary school children in their final year. The aim is to improve the service and in particular to emphasise the commitment to prevention.