Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17 who is a medical card holder must pay €18 per visit for chiropody care due to a dispute between her Department and chiropodists; the reason the person has been restricted from receiving treatment after 1.30pm during December 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43357/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, 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. I am hopeful that this process, which has been underway for some time, will be concluded soon and that this will ensure that no supplementary charges are levied.

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.

As the Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for Primary Care services, it is the appropriate body to consider that part of the Deputy's question which relates to appointment times. 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.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason children attending a private Montessori school (details supplied) in Dublin 22 recognised by her Department cannot access public dental care facilities; the reason they are not eligible for 3 in 1 immunisation at a local public health clinic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43358/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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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.