Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 28 Jun 2001

Vol. 539 No. 3

Written Answers. - Lymphoedema Incidence.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

71 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps he will take to assist persons with lymphoedema, especially towards very expensive hosiery which can cost £700 per annum for a person with a lymphedoematus limb, and a multiple of that for others; if he will take steps to support the objectives of the Irish Lymphoedema Support Venture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19365/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

The provision of elastic hosiery to persons with lymphoedema is a matter for the relevant health board.

In regard to supporting the objectives of the Irish Lymphoedema Support Venture, if the Deputy or the organisation itself provides further information, I will have the matter investigated but I should point out that, with some limited exceptions, organisations like this normally seek support from the health boards in whose functional areas they provide services.