Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2004
629 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason speech, physical and occupational therapy cannot be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if he will ensure that the resources required are made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12148/04]
View answerThe provision of health related services for people with physical and, or, sensory disabilities is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards in the first instance. Accordingly, the Deputy's question has been referred to the chief executive officer of the Eastern Regional Health Authority with a request that he examine the matter and reply directly to the Deputy, as a matter of urgency.
630 Mr. Curran asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will review SI No. 248 of 2000 Health (Dental Services for Children) Regulations, which extends to children up to their sixteenth birthday; and if this specific part of the regulation will be reviewed with a view to providing free dental services to students under 16 who attended fee paying junior schools but are now attending non-fee paying secondary schools. [12149/04]
View answerUnder section 67 of the Health Act 1970, the children eligible for health board dental services are pre-school and national school children in respect of defects noted at child health examinations. Child health examinations are provided by health boards to children attending national school in accordance with section 66 of the Act. There is provision under section 66(3) for a health board, at its discretion, to provide child health examinations to children attending a school that is not a national school. Such discretion may be applied once the governing body of the school so requests.
The Health (Amendment) Act 1994 amended the Health Act 1970. The regulations made under this Act — the Health (Dental Services for Children) Regulations, 2000 — extended eligibility for free primary dental care to children up to their sixteenth birthday, who have attended a national school or a school standing specified in an order under section 66(3) of the Health Act 1970. As part of the implementation process for the national health strategy, a review of all existing eligibility legislation is being undertaken in my Department. Arising from this review, legislation will be drafted to clarify and simplify eligibility and entitlements to health services in line with the goals and objectives set out in the strategy.
