(South Tipperary) asked the Minister for Health the total annual expenditure on (a) aural, (b) dental and (c) ophthalmic services since 1953.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Aural, Dental and Ophthalmic Services.
66.
Mr. O'Malley
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report a table giving the required information.
Following is the table:—
EXPENDITURE of Health Authorities on Dental Services and Aural and Ophthalmic Services.
|
Year |
Dental Services |
Aural and Ophthalmic Services |
|
£000 |
£000 |
|
|
1953-54 |
65 |
20 |
|
1954-55 |
80 |
30 |
|
1955-56 |
115 |
40 |
|
1956-57 |
120 |
40 |
|
1957-58 |
120 |
40 |
|
1958-59 |
120 |
40 |
|
1959-60 |
125 |
45 |
|
1960-61 |
130 |
50 |
|
1961-62 |
145 |
50 |
|
1962-63 |
180 |
61 |
|
1963-64 |
200 |
65 |
|
1964-65 |
230 |
77 |
NOTES:
(1) In the earlier years portion of the cost of these services was accounted for by health authorities under the heading of schools medical services. For this reason the figures shown for these years are part estimated.
(2) The costs of the aural and ophthalmic services are not recorded separately in my Department. The cost of the ophthalmic services, however, forms much the greater part of the expenditure.
(3) Expenditure by the Department of Social Welfare on dental, optical and aural benefits provided under schemes operated by that Department is not included in the figures shown.
67.
(South Tipperary) asked the Minister for Health whether any regulations regarding aural, ophthalmic or dental services have been made as provided for in the 1953 Health Act; and, if so, if he will state the extent and nature of such regulations.
Mr. O'Malley
Regulations have been made on the manner in which, and the extent to which these services are to be provided by health authorities under sections 14 and 20 of the Health Act, 1953 for persons in the lower income group, for pupils of national schools, in respect of defects discovered at school health examinations, and for children under six years of age, in respect of defects discovered at clinics, health centres or similar institutions. The current provisions are:
(1) Article 33 of the Maternity and Child Health Services Regulations, 1954 (S.I. No. 98 of 1954);
(2) Article 8 of the General Medical Services Regulations, 1954 (S.I. No. 102 of 1954);
(3) the Dental and Aural Appliances Regulations, 1961 (S.I. No. 198 of 1961) as amended by the Dental and Aural Appliances Regulations, 1965 (S.I. No. 190 of 1965).