Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 6 September 2019
1258. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will extend the scheme for free eye care for primary school children to include secondary school children in view of the fact that once a child leaves the primary education system they receive no financial help for glasses or eye tests unless they hold a full medical card. [36388/19]
View answerEye examinations, treatments and appliances for children are provided by the HSE under the Health Act 1970.
Such services are provided to children until completion of primary education and to children up to the age of 16 who have had defects noticed at child or school health examinations at primary level. Eye care services are also provided by the HSE to children from completion of primary school up to 16 years if they are medical card holders or dependants of medical card holders. I have no plans at present to review eligibility for eye care services.
