John Perry
Ceist:191 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount spent on a chiropody service in each health board area for each of the years 1998 and 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14968/00]
Written Answers. - Chiropody Service.
John Perry
Ceist:193 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children the health board areas which offer a free chiropodist service to specific categories, for example, old age pensioners or handicapped persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14970/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 191 and 193 together.
Arrangements, including financial allocations, for the provision of chiropodist services to specific categories of persons, are matters for the individual health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority, ERHA. I have accordingly requested the chief executive officers of the boards and the ERHA to forward the information requested to the Deputy.
John Perry
Ceist:192 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of chiropodists employed on either a full time or session basis in the GMS; the number of these chiropodists who hold a three year professional qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14969/00]
The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. However, I have asked the chief executive officers of the health boards to obtain the information sought and to reply directly to the Deputy.
John Perry
Ceist:194 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to introduce, as a matter of urgency, the registration of chiropodists; the proposals, if any, he has in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14971/00]
Officials of my Department are currently in dis cussions with the professional bodies representing a number of health professionals, including chiropodists, with a view to agreeing a system of statutory registration.