Seán Ardagh (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 127: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if he will examine and report on the reason there is an additional charge of €10 per treatment to those in receipt of free chiropody. [15136/05]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 151: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 64 of 22 March 2005, the position regarding the review of fees for chiropodists under the chiropody scheme; the way in which she plans to tackle the problem of chiropodists charging top-up fees to elderly patients with medical cards. [15138/05]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 161: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some chiropodists are charging medical card patients for their services; if this is permissible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15236/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 127, 151 and 161 together.

The provision of chiropody services is a matter for the local area of the Health Service Executive. This is a service which it is not statutorily obliged to provide but a variety of arrangements are in place nationally under arrangements made by the former Eastern Regional Health Authority, ERHA, and other health boards.

Generally speaking, fees paid to private health care practitioners for the provision of services to public patients are reviewed periodically and in that context I have requested my Department, in conjunction with the Health Service Executive, to look specifically at the current levels of fees paid to chiropodists participating in the chiropody scheme of the former ERHA. Arrangements are being made by my officials to progress this matter. I wish to restate that I consider it is inappropriate for chiropodists to charge a top-up fee to elderly public patients who have been deemed eligible for services under the scheme. My Department wrote to the Health Service Executive on 26 January 2005 regarding the inappropriateness of these additional charges.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 128: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the scope of services for persons who are deaf and hard of hearing in relation to the development of health policy; and the number of beneficiaries of such services on a national and county basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15536/05]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 152: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the scope of services for persons who are deaf and hard of hearing in relation to the development of health policy; and the number of beneficiaries of such services on a national and county basis. [15163/05]

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 155: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the scope of services for persons who are deaf and hard of hearing in relation to the development of health policy; and the number of beneficiaries of such services on a national and county basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15169/05]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 128, 152 and 155 together.

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 provision of such services for people who are deaf and hard of hearing. Accordingly, my Department has requested the chief officer in each of the executive's areas to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.