Vol. 575 No. 5
141 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the proposal of the chiropody clinic in Castledermot, County Kildare; the effects this closure will have on recipients of the service especially senior citizens; if he will have the matter investigated as to a reversal of the proposed closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28659/03]
142 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people in receipt of chiropody treatment in the clinics operated by the South West Area Health Board for each of the past three years; his plans to extend the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28660/03]
143 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of chiropody clinics held in the South West Health Area Board; the frequency of the clinics; the number of chiropodists employed by the health board; if there are private chiropodists on contract to the health board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28661/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 to 143, inclusive, together.
144 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health and Children if a 2003 report on the ambulance services in the North-Western Health Board can be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28758/03]
I understand the Deputy has recently been furnished with a copy of the report in question by the North-Western Health Board.
145 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when the South-Western Area Health Board will provide a wheelchair for a person, details supplied, in County Kildare whose child urgently requires same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28782/03]
The provision of technical aids and appliances, including wheelchairs, to people with physical and sensory disabilities is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards in the first instance. Accordingly, the Deputy's question has been referred to the regional chief executive officer, Eastern Regional Health Authority, with a request that he examine the matter and reply directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
146 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if and when a residential place can be offered to a person, details supplied, in County Kildare whose child has special needs, having particular regard to the failure of the efforts to date to find such a place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28783/03]
Responsibility for the provision of services to persons with an intellectual disability and those with autism in the Kildare region rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. Therefore, my Department has asked the chief executive officer of the authority to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply directly to him.
