Vol. 556 No. 2
106 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Health and Children the situation regarding assistance for parents not covered by medical cards of secondary school children needing optical services on spectacles; and if the free service in primary schools can be extended to secondary schools or treatment for individuals allowed to carry on. [19678/02]
Sections 66 and 67 of the Health Act, 1970, provide that health boards shall make ophthalmic treatment and optical appliances available, free of charge, to children attending a national school. Where a defect is identified as a result of an examination carried out in accordance with the above, the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority continue to provide treatment and appliances until the child attains the age of 16 years. I have asked the chief executive officer of each of the health boards and the regional chief executive of the Eastern Regional Health Authority to examine this question and to advise me of any action they consider appropriate to ensure the provision of equitable service across the entire country.
