Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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636. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a patient who is referred to accident and emergency by an optician or optometrist is liable for a €100 charge; his views on the rationale for this; if he will look at changing this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17839/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Health (Out-Patient Charges) Regulations 2013 provides for a €100 charge for out-patient services provided at an emergency department, an accident and emergency department, a casualty department, a minor injury unit, an urgent care centre, a local injury unit or any other facility providing similar services, subject to certain exemptions under Article 3. Under Article 3(h) a person who has a letter of referral from a registered medical practitioner is exempt from this charge. Any medical practitioner who wishes to practise medicine in Ireland is required by law (the Medical Practitioners Act 2007) to be registered with the Medical Council. The Opticians Board is the registration and regulatory body for optometrists and dispensing opticians. Opticians and optometrists are therefore not registered with the Medical Council and consequently a letter of referral from an optician or optometrist will not provide an exemption from this charge. There are no plans to change this legislation.