Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1670. To ask the Minister for Health if she will provide funding for a scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11556/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge the important work that optometrists perform in ensuring the appropriate eye health care of the citizens of Ireland.

The Community Ophthalmic Services Scheme (COSS) is a national fee-per-item scheme which was introduced in 1979. Under the COSS, medical card holders aged over 16 years can be seen by ophthalmologists, community ophthalmic physicians, optometrists or dispensing opticians.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides optical services free of charge to pre-school children and national school children referred from child health service and school health service examinations who are discovered to have sight problems. These children are referred to the appropriate service for treatment. In such circumstances, these services will continue to be provided until the child has reached the age of 16.

The National Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology, published in 2017, developed a model of care detailing how the realignment of eye services from an acute hospital setting to the community would be undertaken. Included in the Programme is a recommendation to transfer the care of children aged 8+ years with routine eyecare needs to the care of local private optometrists.

While there was no dedicated funding allocated in Budget 2025 for an increase in fees or for the transfer of care, engagement with relevant stakeholders is ongoing.