Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 290: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when she will introduce a national diabetic retinopathy programme as recommended by the expert advisory group on diabetes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32229/08]

Mary Wallace (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy's question relates to the funding, 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.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 291: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the use of optometrists as well as ophthalmologists for routine eye examinations of children in order to reduce the waiting times for this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32230/08]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 292: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of community ophthalmologists in the country; the waiting times for this service in each of the Health Service Executive regions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32231/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 291 and 292 together.

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 these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.