Health Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2014

Tuesday, 30 September 2014

Questions (427)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

427. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to chiropody services being provided out of local pharmacies instead of vacant health centre suites; that the patients, including lifelong diabetics, are then charged a €20 rental fee; his plans to re-accommodate the chiropody services to the local health centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36968/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

While there is no statutory obligation to provide a chiropody/podiatry service, such services are provided by the HSE to medical card patients with the greatest needs. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific queries raised by the Deputy and to reply to her as soon as possible.