Vol. 460 No. 3
170 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Health his views on the need to amend the regulation whereby only persons who have been in practice as chiropodists before 1963, other than members of the society, are admitted to the assessment and advisory list; the plans, if any, he has to implement this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1038/96]
Limerick East): The present position in relation to the provision of chiropody services is that health boards meet their chiropody manpower needs from an approved list of chiropodists. The approved list is maintained by the Chiropody Assessment and Advisory Committee. This independent assessment committee is a non-statutory body which was established in 1975 with the agreement of the Department of Health. Chiropodists whose names appear on the list have undertaken a three year, full-time, comprehensive course of training or were in practice prior to 1963.
I am aware that the criteria for inclusion on the approved list have been a source of disagreement between different groups of chiropodists in recent years and my Department has been examining various ways of establishing an alternative assessment mechanism acceptable to all chiropodists to determine suitability to provide services to eligible health board patients.
