Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 June 2004
180 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding discussions between his Department and health boards and the professional bodies representing chiropodists in regard to the additional charges being levied by them on medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16742/04]
View answerThere has been no formal request for a meeting from any of the professional bodies which represent chiropodists on this matter. Health boards are not legally obliged to provide chiropody services. However, arrangements for the provision of services, including chiropody, are a matter for the individual health boards to make having regard to their priorities within the funding allocated. Accordingly, chiropody services provided by health boards vary somewhat throughout the country. Any contractual arrangements are between the relevant health board and the service provider. However, my Department has indicated its disapproval of the practice of levying an additional charge by the chiropodists in some board areas and discussions are taking place in this regard with the Eastern Regional Health Authority.
