Vol. 443 No. 7
196 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Health when a replacement community ophthalmic physician will be appointed to the South Eastern Health Board in Enniscorthy, County Wexford; the reason for the delay in making such an appointment; and in view of the backlog for patients waiting for optical treatment and especially the provision of glasses, if he will expedite this appointment.
Interviews for the post of community ophthalmic physician for County Wexford were held recently by the Local Appointments Commission. I understand from the South Eastern Health Board that it expects to be notified in the near future of the outcome of these interviews.
In the meantime the South Eastern Health Board is providing ophthalmic services in Wexford through arrangements with private practitioners in the area and the attendance of the community ophthalmic physician from the Carlow-Kilkenny community care area at clinics in Wexford.
