Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 25 Nov 1997

Vol. 483 No. 3

Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

212 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children the length of time health board patients have to wait for optical treatment and glasses in County Kerry; the amount of people who are on the waiting list in this regard; the proposals, if any, he has to alleviate this waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20295/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

There are currently 3,236 people on the waiting list for optical treatment in Kerry and the average time they are on the waiting list is 11 months, for children, and 14 months, for adults. However, the Southern Health Board has indicated that very urgent cases are seen in between one and five days.

I recognise that, nationally, difficulties have arisen with the scheme for the provision of eye testing and spectacles, especially in relation to the waiting lits that have built up. In order to deal with this matter, I have recently asked the chief executive officers of the health boards to establish a joint working group with the Association of Optometrists Ireland to examine the whole question of the provision of both eye testing services and provision of spectacles.

I am hopeful that this initiative will help alleviate the problems referred to by the Deputy.