Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 71: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when sufficient qualified chiropodist staff will be available to enable persons seeking treatment as advertised in media advertisements to obtain that treatment within a reasonable time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17727/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Following an agreed assessment process, a further 81 names have been added to the list of chiropodists considered eligible to practise in the public health service. My Department is currently liaising with the relevant professional bodies in regard to the development of the assessment system, building on the work carried out to date for the preparation of the statutory registration of chiropodists as set out in the Health and Social Care Professionals Bill 2004. The Bill provides for the establishment of a chiropodists registration board which will be responsible for establishing and maintaining a register of chiropodists. Statutory registration will encompass chiropodists working in the public health service and in private practice.

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive has responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for human resource matters and the determination of eligibility for employment of staff, including chiropodists.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 72: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the length of time a person is likely to have to wait for an opportunity to have tests carried out at present in respect of heart condition, rheumatology, urology, cancer, tuberculosis and other conditions with particular reference to persons who might expect long waiting periods; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17728/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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My Department does not collect or collate data on waiting times for tests in respect of the specialties mentioned. The length of time involved for patients requiring tests is dependent on a number of factors such as the patient's condition, the particular test required, the demand for such tests and the capacity of individual hospitals to carry out particular tests. Operational issues for the services provided by acute hospitals rest with the Health Service Executive. The executive has the responsibility to ensure that services are managed and delivered in a timely manner to meet the needs of the population.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 73: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the status of the application for domiciliary care allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17729/05]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, 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 payment of and entitlement to domiciliary care allowance. Accordingly, my Department has requested the chief officer for the eastern regional area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.