Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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594. To ask the Minister for Health when an increase to the fees payable to contractors for a standard eye examination under the community ophthalmic services scheme will be implemented, in view of the fact that he gave a commitment to implement this change in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46535/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Eligible patients can receive an eye examination and be provided with prescribed optical appliances in accordance with a national schedule of approved optical appliances.

The Health Professionals (Reduction of Payments to Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians) Regulations 2013 (SI 274 of 2013) sets the fees for optometrists and dispensing opticians under the Community Optometric Services, Community Spectacle Dispensing Services and Health Amendment Act Card Schemes.

I am committed to increasing the fee payable to contractors for a standard eye examination under the COSS, to ensure parity with that payable for the same exam under the Department of Social Protection’s Treatment Benefit Scheme. This is a priority for my Department, and work with stakeholders is ongoing to implement this change as soon as possible.