Vol. 572 No. 6
303 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will take steps to ensure that a full time chiropodist is appointed for the Athlone area; if negotiations between his Department and the Association of Chiropodists of Ireland and the Midland Health Board have concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24093/03]
Health boards are not legally obliged to provide chiropody services for medical card holders. The formal position is that arrangements for the provision of services, including chiropody services, are a matter for the individual health boards to decide, having regard to their priorities within the funding allocated. Accordingly, this question has been referred to the Midland Health Board for investigation and a reply will issue to the Deputy when the information is available. Neither I nor my Department has a role in the recruitment of full-time chiropodists for any health board.
