Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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613. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide the facilities available free of charge to primary school children for dental, ophthalmic and aural treatments. [54216/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The Public Dental Service of the HSE provides dental services for children up to 16 years of age and persons with special needs through its dental clinics. All HSE dental clinics prioritise emergency care for children up to 16 years of age, treatment for special needs patients and screening of children aged from 11 to 13 years, including referral for orthodontic services where necessary. Other services, including screening of children 6 to 8 years, are provided but may be deferred in clinics where there is pressure on resources. The HSE Public Dental Service has recently been re-structured. It is intended that the new arrangements will facilitate standardisation of services available nationally.

The HSE provides a sight testing service as part of the school health screening programme for children of primary school age. The screening service is provided by public health nurses and area medical officers. Children who are identified as requiring treatment or intervention are referred to the HSE ophthalmic service for follow up. Urgent cases are given priority and less urgent cases are dealt with as quickly as possible.

The HSE provides audiology services for children, including screening, assessment, investigations, treatment, rehabilitation and devices. Speech and language therapy is also provided as well as referral of children with a hearing loss to the Visiting Teacher of the Deaf services, provided by the Department of Education and Skills.