Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 647: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will intervene with the Health Service Executive with a view to resolving the crisis whereby 4,000 children are awaiting eye examinations at a clinic (details supplied) in Dublin 7 and sanction the appointment of two community ophthalmologists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1029/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Child health examinations are provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to children under 6 years of age and children attending national school in accordance with Section 66 of the Health Act, 1970. Under Section 67 of that Act, such children are eligible for HSE ophthalmic services in respect of problems noted at child health examinations. The Clinic at Rathdown Road provides these services to children living in north Dublin City and County.

As the Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for Primary Care services, it is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. 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.