John Ellis
Ceist:156 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Health if she will outline the plans, if any, she has to give preference to those chiropodists trained within the State for appointment to all health boards and State-sponsored health groups.
Written Answers. - Chiropodist Appointments.
John Ellis
Ceist:157 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Health if there is a recognised training course for chiropodists operated within the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 157 together.
At present, there is no recognised training course in chiropody provided by any approved third level, or other, educational institution within the State. The question of providing such a course was examined in broad principle some years ago and my Department have recently been in contact with the Department of Education with a view to both Departments undertaking an updated review of this matter along with the Higher Education Authority. There is a school of chiropody in Belfast which is recognised by the United Kingdom Department of Health and by the national health service.
Health boards do provide chiropody services for patients with full eligibility and such services are largely provided by self employed chiropodists who act as contractors to the health board by way of providing sessions, and so on on an agency basis. There is a listing of chiropodists who have been approved, in respect of provision of such services to health boards, by the assessment and advisory committee on chiropody, established in 1975 with the approval of the Department of Health.
I am at the moment looking at the question of the establishment of an assessment board which would assess those who have not attended a formal recognised training course in the UK or an equivalent course elsewhere and who wish to undertake work for health boards.
Ireland's membership of the European Community would prohibit the granting of preference to Irish nationals, or to persons trained within the State, as regards either appointments to posts under health boards or access to provision of services on an agency basis.