Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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130. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to amend proposed legislation to allow orthoptists to prescribe glasses contingent on satisfying the CORU regulations on scope of practice for that profession by requiring a CORU accredited qualification in refraction and prescribing to meet the regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37427/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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There are no plans at present to extend the scope of practice of orthoptists to include the prescription of spectacles. An extension of scope of practice would require primary legislation.

Orthoptists are one of the professions designated, in the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, for registration under the Health and Social Care Professionals Council (CORU). It is intended that the Registration Board for this profession will be established under CORU by the end of 2015.