Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 192: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her Department's guidelines regarding the number of visits a new mother and baby can expect from a public health nurse in their home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13164/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The maternity and infant care scheme provides an agreed programme of care free of charge to an expectant mother arising out of her pregnancy and to her new born baby for six weeks after birth. All expectant mothers who are ordinarily resident in Ireland are eligible to avail of services under the scheme. Women who choose to avail of these services are under the care of both a general practitioner of their choice and a hospital obstetrician.

After the birth, usually within 48 hours of discharge from hospital, a public health nurse visits the mother and child at their home. The scheme also provides for two designated post-natal visits to the general practitioner. The purpose of these visits is to conduct developmental checks on the baby and a post-natal examination of the mother. The first visit is within two weeks of the birth and the second is at six weeks.

The Best Health for Children report provides for a new core surveillance programme for all children in the 0-12 age group. It was published in late 1999 and covers both pre-school developmental examinations as well as the school health service. The programme recommends an examination at birth and a visit by the public health nurse within 48 hours of discharge from hospital. It also recommends a developmental check at six to eight weeks, three months, seven to nine months and 18 to 24 months.

The former Health Boards Executive has since established a programme of action for children, PAC, to facilitate a co-ordinated and integrated approach to the delivery of a range of child health projects. The PAC has undertaken a review of the surveillance recommendations from Best Health for Children, in the light of emerging evidence. Among the aims of the review are to establish a standardised national core child health screening programme; to review evidence for best practice; and to develop guidelines for screening. Its recommendations for this programme are being considered by the Health Service Executive.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 193: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the cover which has been made available to the patients of the public health nurse at a location (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13165/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, HSE which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and person social services. This includes responsibility for the provision of a public health nursing service. Accordingly, my Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's south eastern area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 194: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the current waiting time for the 12-month development check on children at a location (details supplied) in County Wexford; the action being taken to reduce the waiting time; the nature of the reassurance she will offer parents of young children not receiving this important check; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13166/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the developmental screening of children. Accordingly, my Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's south eastern area to investigate the matter raised and reply directly to the Deputy.