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Health Board Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2004

Tuesday, 2 November 2004

Ceisteanna (138, 139, 140)

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

205 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason speech therapy for children from Irish speaking families is not available through Irish in the Kerry Gaeltacht; the reason training for speech therapy through Irish is not available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27045/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The provision of health services, including speech and language therapy, to people with a physical and-or sensory disability rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards in the first instance. Accordingly, the Deputy's question has been referred to the chief executive officer of the Southern Health Board with a request that he examine the matter raised and reply directly to the Deputy, as a matter of urgency.

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

206 Mr. McCormack asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if an audiologist will be appointed for County Galway to cater for the needs of deaf children; when it is envisaged to appoint a person to this post; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27116/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

As the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for provision of audiological services is a matter for the health boards-authority in the first instance. My Department has therefore requested the chief executive officer of the Western Health Board to prepare a report on the matter and to reply directly to the Deputy.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

207 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has negotiated a new deal with private practitioners offering chiropody and dental services to medical card holders in order that eligible persons may gain access to these services without having to make contributions or travel long distances to find a practitioner willing to offer the service; and if she will make a statement on the progress that has been made resolving these issues. [26769/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

There is no statutory obligation on health boards to provide chiropody services to medical card holders. I understand that health boards make arrangements for the provision of such services. The nature of the arrangements and the level of chiropody services provided are a matter for the individual boards.

As regards dental services, the Deputy will be aware that primary dental care for adult medical cardholders, that is persons, aged 16 years or over, is provided under the dental treatment services scheme, DTSS. This dental care is provided free of charge to medical card holders. In the main, private dental practitioners participating in the DTSS under contract arrangements with health boards provide this dental care. Salaried dentists from the health boards also provide some services under the scheme.

The objectives of the scheme are to improve the oral health of adult medical card holders and thereby reduce the equity gap between this population and the population as a whole by providing a high quality dental service, and to provide dental services to adult medical cardholders in a cost-effective and equitable manner.

My Department will, in the near future, embark on a review of the DTSS in conjunction with the health boards, the general medical services payments board and Irish Dental Association. This review will be aimed at ensuring that the aims of the scheme are being met and that the service to medical card holders is timely, appropriate and accessible and that the service provides best value for money.

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