asked the Minister for Health the proportion of school children that are examined during the school medical examinations; the ages at which these examinations take place; and if he is satisfied with the scheme as it is at present operated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Medical Examinations.
117.
Revised school health services, which were introduced from late 1970, envisaged the introduction over a phased period of a comprehensive medical examination of school children shortly after entrance to national schools, and a medical examination of a limited number of other school children selected on the basis of information furnished about them by their parents, teachers, public health nurses or other interested persons. All children attending national school are examined at least once. In 1973 26 per cent of national school children were medically examined.
On the whole I am satisfied that progress is being made towards the implementation of the revised service. My Department are at present carrying out a review of the service to see whether recent experience in its operation would suggest the need for any further changes.
While examinations are carried out, we cannot afford to be too happy about the lack of attention after examinations with regard to treatment for eyes and teeth. Often there is a considerable delay before the care required is provided. Does the Minister agree with this?
For the second time this afternoon I agree with the Deputy. While the routine examination is all right, there should be a more intensive examination and we are trying to work towards this.
The examination refers to children attending national schools. While I certainly do not condone the fee-paying schools or anything that might be attributed to snobbery, nevertheless there are other schools. Because of this the pressure on national schools is reduced with regard to education as better facilities are available in the national schools because other children go elsewhere. Does the Minister not think that perhaps the time has come when we should stop preventing children in the fee-paying schools from having this service?
That is a separate question.
The children are going to school and a case can be made for them.
Quite possibly a case might be made but it is not within the scope of the question we are discussing.
I thought the question might prompt the Minister to indicate how he would accept a query on the matter.
The Minister is concerned that the routine examination is not enough, that when there is any suggestion of a defect there should be a special and more intensive examination. Children who might be discovered to have a serious defect with regard to teeth, eyes or any other part of the anatomy should have more intensive care.
118.
asked the Minister for Health the total number of children who have been examined under the development paediatric assessment scheme since its inception; the proportion of the total number of children in the age group represented by this figure; the total number of doctors employed in the scheme; the total annual cost of the scheme; and if he is satisfied with the scheme as it is at present operated.
In urban areas developmental paediatric examinations may be provided at six months, 12 months and two years. To the end of 1973, 104,473 such examinations had been given. As children who are examined at six months may also receive the later examinations the total number of examinations is greater than the number of children who received them. It is estimated that there are 100,000 children under two in the areas in which the service is provided. In these areas in 1972, 72 per cent of the eligible children were given the six-months examination; the percentages who were examined at 12 and 24 months were 20 per cent and 8 per cent respectively. Eighty-six doctors were employed in the scheme in 1973; these doctors also undertook other child health work. The cost of the developmental paediatric scheme in 1973 was estimated at £168,000.
The scheme as it is at present operated is satisfactory from the point of view of the service provided for children at six to seven months of age in urban areas. It is less satisfactory as regards the numbers receiving the 12-months and 24-months examinations. The service is being reviewed at present by my Department.