Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the numbers of sex assault treatment units; the plans she has to extend the numbers of these units; her views on a recent case where a woman had to travel eight hours for an examination after an alleged sexual assault; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29543/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the fact that there is no obligation on the Health Service Executive to provide chiropody services to GMS patients; her further views on the top up fees charged by some chiropodists; the steps she intends to take to provide chiropody services to GMS patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29518/06]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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There is no statutory obligation on the Health Service Executive (HSE) to provide chiropody services to GMS patients; however in practice arrangements are made to provide these services. Before the establishment of the HSE the nature of the arrangements for chiropody and the level of service provided was a matter for individual health boards and so a degree of variation in practice developed over time. Priority is usually given to certain groups of people, including people who are medical card holders aged 65 years and over. In several regions the service is provided by private chiropodists by arrangement with the HSE.

I consider that it is inappropriate for private chiropodists who are providing services on behalf of the HSE to charge patients a top-up fee, and I have conveyed this view formally to the HSE. My Department requested the HSE to review the fee arrangements in place for the provision of chiropody services, with a view to ensuring that such additional fees will no longer be levied on persons in receipt of this service. This process has been underway for some time and considerable progress has been made in talks on a settlement.

My Department is currently preparing legislation to clarify and update existing legislation on eligibility for health and personal social services. The Bill will define specific health and personal services more clearly; define who should be eligible for what services; set out clear criteria for eligibility; establish when and in what circumstances charges may be made and provide for an appeals framework.