Vol. 501 No. 4
90 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the discrepancy and anomalous situation whereby medical card holders in the Eastern Health Board area are entitled to chiropody services three times a year free whereas in contrast there is no service in the South-Eastern Health Board; the proposals, if any, he has to introduce uniformity of chiropody services nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6307/99]
In the Eastern Health Board area, the board provides three chiropody treatments per annum to all medical card holders over the age of 65 when considered clinically necessary. Similarly, in the South-Eastern Health Board area elderly medical card holders are eligible to attend three times a year for such treatments.
Arrangements for the provision of services, including chiropody services, are a matter for the individual health boards, having regard to their priorities within the funding allocated. I have no plans to change this arrangement.
