Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 214: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has implemented any of the Competition Authority's recommendations regarding optometrists to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4683/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The executive summary of the Report to which the Deputy refers commences "The optometry profession in Ireland is an example of a profession where competition is generally working well". The Report makes five recommendations, four of which fall within my remit. The first of these recommendation is to "allow optometrists to provide State-funded eye examinations to children identified at national school exit screening". My Department has informed the Competition Authority that children over the age of eight years could be referred directly to optometrists from the school medical service. The mechanics of introducing this change are being examined at present in the context of a HSE review of the role of the community ophthalmic physician. The final three recommendations concern the removal of unnecessary restrictions on advertising, setting out the functions of the Opticians Board in legislation and changing the composition of the Opticians Board. My Department has informed the Competition Authority that these recommendations will be considered in the event of a review of the Opticians Act 1956.