Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 1 Jun 1999

Vol. 505 No. 6

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

150 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the expenses, if any, covered in respect of an infant who is identified as having a medical disorder at a developmental test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14262/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

Under section 66(1) of the Health Act, 1970, health boards are required to make available, without charge, a health examination and treatment service for children under the age of six years. Section 56(4) of this Act requires health boards to make available out-patient services in respect of defects noticed at the examination referred to under section 66.

David Stanton

Ceist:

151 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of specialist epilepsy care centres in the State; the initiatives, if any, he plans to take in this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14277/99]

David Stanton

Ceist:

152 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of epilepsy specialist nurses working in the community; the plans, if any, he has for the provision of more nurses in this category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14278/99]

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

159 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals, if any, he has to appoint epilepsy specialist nurses to work in the community as proposed by Brainwave, the Irish Epilepsy Association. [14344/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 151, 152 and 159 together.

Epilepsy is treated at primary, secondary and tertiary care levels and a broad range of services exist to cater for persons with this condition. Highly specialised care is available in major acute hospitals with neurology departments or from visiting neurologists.

General practitioners and public health nurses are available to provide information, guidance and counselling for people with epilepsy and people who suffer from epilepsy are entitled to a long-term illness card to pay for medication relative to this condition.

The funding of voluntary agencies, such as brainwave – and the Irish Epilepsy Association, for the provision of health services to people with physical and sensory disabilities is a matter for the relevant health boards in whose functional area the services are being provided. Brainwave has in the past, received funding from each of the health boards for the provision of its services, including the provision of information packs for general practitioners. As recommended in the report of the review group on health and personal social services for people with physical and sensory disabilities, Towards an Independent Future, published in December 1996, regional co-ordinating committees for services for people with physical and sensory disabilities have been set up in each health board area. These bring together health boards, voluntary sector service providers and consumers. One of the primary functions of the co-ordinating committee is to advise on priorities for the allocation of funds available for the development of the services. The allocation of funding to services specific to persons with epilepsy will be considered by boards in this context. This year £3 million – £6 million full year cost in the year 2000 – has been provided for the development of services.