I propose to take Questions Nos. 941 and 942 together.
The chiropodists providing services to medical card holders in the Eastern Regional Health Authority's board areas have taken a decision to levy medical card holders in respect of services being provided under the chiropody scheme in operation in that area. Arrangements for the provision of the service are between the chiropodists and the authority.
The Department was made aware of this action by the chiropodists and wrote to the authority advising of the inappropriateness of the charging of levies to medical card holders. A series of meetings have taken place between the authority and the Department in an attempt to assist the authority to resolve its difficulties with the chiropody scheme.
Health boards are not statutorily obliged to provide chiropody services. It is not one of the attendant benefits of being a medical card holder. However, where they are provided, it is normally to people aged over 65 years and those with particular medical conditions.