Vol. 489 No. 6
434 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals, if any, he has to clear the backlog and waiting list for optical treatment; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in the South-Eastern Health Board area of County Wexford pensioners have to wait six to eight months to get their eyes tested as in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and the proposals, if any, he has to clear the backlog. [8862/98]
At my request a working group comprising representatives of the health boards and the Optometrists Association has been established to look at ways of improving the delivery of ophthalmic services and in particular at ways of reducing waiting lists for these services. I understand that the working group is making good progress and hopes to complete its review by mid 1998. In addition, I have allocated an extra £1 million this year towards reducing the waiting lists. This funding has been divided among the health boards in proportion to their waiting lists for ophthalmic services.
The provision of ophthalmic services to eligible persons in County Wexford is the statutory responsibility of the South-Eastern Health Board and I have asked the chief executive officer of that health board to investigate the position in relation to the case referred to by the Deputy and to reply to him directly as a matter of urgency.
