Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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595. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1530 of 18 April 2023, if a timeline can be provided for the confirmed evaluation of the community ophthalmic services medical treatment scheme; if any basis for the delay to date in commencing this can be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19456/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Community Ophthalmic Services Medical Treatment Scheme (COSMTS) was established in 2004 as a pilot project in response to an identified need. The Scheme engages four practices across seven locations to provide medical and minor surgical care to patients outside of the acute care setting. This allows hospitals and eye clinics to focus on treating more complex conditions. The treatments and the current fees payable under the Scheme were agreed in 2013.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) have advised that a detailed evaluation of the current operation of the COSMTS will need to be carried out before it is extended further. This review remains a priority for my Department in 2023.

To date, my officials have engaged with the HSE to determine how such an evaluative review would best be conducted. Given the importance of the COSMTS, I am eager to ensure that the requirements of this review are clearly defined, so that it can be completed in as timely a manner as possible but also provide the most useful insight on how best to progress the Scheme.