asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange with the Southern Health Board for the continuance of the opthalmic services scheme so that spectacles may be made available by the board, free of charge, to medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Opthalmic Services Scheme.
601.
The scheme under which opthalmic opticians carry out sight testing and prescribing of spectacles for eligible persons has not been operated by the Southern Health Board in the current year due to the lack of funds. However the board continues to provide an opthalmic service for eligible persons through sessions held at its clinics and in the voluntary hospitals in Cork city. Where spectacles are prescribed they are dispensed free of charge to eligible persons.