Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2004
247 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will consider changing the laws on entitlement to orthodontic care in order that children who have been waiting a certain number of years and have not been assigned treatment under the State scheme, can at least qualify for a subvention towards the cost of private work; and if he will make a statement on the past efforts he has made to introduce such a scheme. [13154/04]
View answerThe Northern Area Health Board of the ERHA previously proposed a grant-in-aid scheme for orthodontic treatment similar to that referred to by the Deputy; however, the board received legal advice to the effect that such a grant-in-aid scheme would conflict with the statutory provisions 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.
248 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has developed a national strategy for the treatment of diabetes; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a community service whereby a diabetes nurse was available in the community to assist in the treatment of diabetes has been withdrawn from the catchment of Beaumont Hospital; and if this is in accord with his national strategy. [13155/04]
View answerThe Minister has asked the chief medical officer to chair a working group consisting of the Department, service providers and the Diabetes Federation of Ireland. The first meeting of the group took place on 30 January.
The working group will examine the current and predicted epidemiology of diabetes; health promotion and preventive initiatives, including screening; current service provision, including the need to achieve better integration of care using current resources and facilities and the expansion of shared care programmes and future needs in terms of service provision and staffing. The group hopes to have its analysis and recommendations with the Minister later this year for consideration.
Responsibility for the provision of diabetic services in the Beaumont area is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority, ERHA, and the Northern Area Health Board. In regard to your question on the withdrawal of the diabetic nurse in that area, my Department has asked the regional chief executive of the ERHA to investigate this matter and reply directly to you.
