Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his question. When I first saw the matter he was raising, I was wondering whether "orthoptist" was a spelling mistake. Apparently, it is not. An orthoptist is a health and social care professional who specialises in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of squints or eye turns, eye movement disorders and childhood visual problems such as what we know as lazy eye. The Deputy's question is very good and an orthoptics service is a very important measure, for young children especially. I thank the Deputy for raising the matter.

All children, including those not covered by a medical card, receive a vision screen from a public health nurse while in national school. The HSE provides optical services free of charge to preschool children and national school children referred from child health service and school health service examinations who are discovered to have sight problems. These children are referred to the appropriate consultant for treatment. In such circumstances, these services will continue to be provided until the child has reached the age of 16.

An orthoptist is a health and social care professional who specialises in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of conditions affecting a patient's vision. Patients may be directly experiencing symptoms such as blurred or double vision, or they may exhibit outward signs, such as misalignment or uncontrolled movement of the eyes or abnormal head positions. Orthoptists are also involved in treating patients who have suffered from a stroke or head injury. Eyes are commonly affected after suffering a stroke or head injury due to their direct connection to the brain.

Regarding orthoptist services at St. Joseph's care campus, Longford, the senior orthoptist of the campus resigned from a permanent full-time post in October 2023. A derogation was sought to replace this post in November 2023, and to date approval for derogation has not been granted. The HSE secured part-time agency staff to provide the service from November 2023 until July 2024.

The HSE now reports that the orthoptist service at St. Joseph's care campus ceased in July 2023 due to maternity leave. Since the service has ceased, every effort has been made to secure more agency staff for this orthoptist post. Unfortunately, to date this post has yet to be filled.

The provision of appropriate eye care is an important aspect of our healthcare service and the HSE has advised that every effort is being made to ensure orthoptist services at St. Joseph's care campus, Longford, are restored. I will ensure that Department officials continue to follow up with the HSE regarding the restoration of this important service. The derogation to replace the post has to be made so a full-time orthoptist can be recruited. Families, especially those with young children with the conditions in question, cannot wait for the service. I will, therefore, follow up with the HSE on the restoration of this important service in the Deputy's county.

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