Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 October 2004
185 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of pensioners that have been asked to pay €10 per visit for chiropody services provided by the health board; the plans she has to end this supplementary charge on pensioners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26670/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth boards are not statutorily obliged to provide chiropody services. It is not one of the attendant benefits of being a medical card holder. Decisions to make chiropody and other services available are a matter for the local health board to make, bearing in mind their priorities and the funding available to them.
Where chiropody services are provided, they are normally given to persons aged 65 years and over and those suffering from particular medical conditions. There are a variety of arrangements in place nationally for the provision of chiropody service to clients, with a mixture of public and private practitioners in different locations throughout the country.
Persons were not obliged to pay the supplementary charge for chiropody services. In cases where payments were made, it was a matter between the chiropodist and the client, and therefore outside of the medical card scheme. As a consequence, there is no record of the numbers involved or the amounts paid.
When it became known that chiropodists in the Eastern Regional Health Authority region were imposing an additional charge the Department wrote to the Eastern Regional Health Authority and stated that these were inappropriate and should not be levied on people who were deemed eligible for the service under the Eastern Regional Health Authority scheme.
186 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be called for orthodontic treatment in Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26671/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in County Clare rests with the Mid-Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.
