Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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223. To ask the Minister for Health the progress of his Department and the HSE in prioritising the development of primary care eye teams in CHO6, CHO7 and CHO9 in 2022 with a view to extending these teams to other CHOs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8630/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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With regard to primary eye care, the HSE have prioritised in 2022 the supporting of the Primary Care Eye Teams in CHOs 6, 7 and 9, with a view to then rolling out this team model to other CHOs. Staff working within the adult primary care eye teams will manage patients a number of eye conditions to reduce hospital waiting lists.

As the implementation of these Primary Eye Care Teams remains an operational matter for the HSE, I have referred the question for the HSE provide a direct reply.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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224. To ask the Minister for Health the details of the transfer of care for children aged 8 plus years to local optometrists to reduce waiting lists and enhance access to primary eye care services; if the anticipated six- to-nine-month timeframe for conclusion of this project in 2022 is on target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8631/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I fully support the proposal to allow optometrists to be contracted by the HSE to see children over 8 years of age for routine eye assessments and appliances.

The HSE has advised that in 2022 it will advance the transfer of care for children aged 8+ years to local optometrists, thereby reducing waiting lists and enhancing access to primary eye care services.

A project team was established in late 2019 / early 2020 to progress this initiative with a wide-ranging membership including representation from the Department of Health. However, due to the requirement to focus resources on the COVID 19 pandemic it was necessary to pause the programme.

There is now a commitment to progressing the project through the reconvening of the project team. It is anticipated that it will be possible to bring the project to conclusion over a 6-to-9-month time frame.

As the implementation timelines of this project remain an operational matter for the HSE, I have referred the question for the HSE provide a direct reply.