asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange with the health boards or through his own Department for a sight testing scheme for the provision of spectacles by ophthalmic opticians throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Sight Testing Scheme.
199.
A sight testing scheme whereby the health boards may engage the services of ophthalmologists and ophthalmic opticians in private practice to test the sight of and provide spectacles for medical card holders and their adult dependants was introduced in 1979. The service is provided by the health boards to the extent that financial circumstances will permit. It is entirely a matter for the health boards to allocate whatever funds are available to them between the different services they provide as they see fit.