Brian O'Shea
Question:352 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children his proposals to provide a free chiropody service for senior citizens who hold medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20212/04]
View answerTuesday, 6 July 2004
Questions (319, 320, 321, 322)
John Cregan
Question:376 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding problems which have been known to his office for months regarding difficulties in the ERHA region with the service by chiropodists to pensioners; if he will report on progress; the person who is negotiating with the chiropodists, in view of the fact that his Department and ERHA seem to suggest that the other party is the negotiator. [20387/04]
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 352 and 376 together.
Health boards are not legally obliged to provide chiropody services. Arrangements for the provision of services, including chiropody, are a matter for the individual health boards, 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.
My Department has indicated its disapproval at 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. There has been no formal request for a meeting from any professional body representing chiropodists.
John McGuinness
Question:353 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if the chief executive officer of the South Eastern Health Board has replied to all correspondence from a person (details supplied); if all issues raised with him by way of that correspondence have been dealt with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20213/04]
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Responsibility for the provision of care and treatment of the named individual rests with the South Eastern Health Board. My Department has therefore asked the chief executive officer to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply to him directly.
Paul McGrath
Question:354 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the numbers on the waiting list for the housing aid for the elderly scheme in each health board; and the average waiting time in each health board area. [20215/04]
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As the Deputy will be aware, the housing aid scheme for the elderly is operated by the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards on behalf of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. My Department has therefore asked the chief executive officers of the authority and the boards to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply directly to him as a matter of urgency.