Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Mar 1999

Vol. 501 No. 3

Written Answers. - School Health Services.

Richard Bruton

Question:

229 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will extend free medical cover for children up to compulsory school leaving age in order to facilitate regular checkups and preventative health actions as part of a school health programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5826/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The Deputy will be aware that section 66 (2) of the Health Act, 1970, requires that health boards "make available without charge examination and treatment services for pupils attending a national school". There are no plans at present to extend these services to the minimum school leaving age of 15 years. All necessary follow-up services for defects discovered at these examinations are provided free of charge and continue until the condition has been fully treated. In the case of dental services, I propose to extend entitlement up to 16 years of age later this year.

In addition, the health promotion unit of my Department, either on its own, in conjunction with the health boards or in conjunction with the Department of Education and Science, has developed a range of initiatives that contribute to the promotion of health amongst our young people in the school setting. These include programmes relating to issues such as drugs, HIV, AIDS, nutrition and exercise but more recently significant support has been accorded to the health promotion school initiative which assesses the importance of the school setting in promoting health and introduces programmes and practices that support efforts on behalf of all in the school community to ensure a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, officials from my Department have been involved with course committees of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment in developing social, personal and health education syllabi which will contribute to the curricular components of this area in the future.