Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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383. To ask the Minister for Health if she intends to revise the fee paid to optometrists under the medical card scheme; if so, the status of these plans; the timeline for its implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18169/25]

Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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384. To ask the Minister for Health if she intends to increase the scope of practice for optometrists (details supplied); the work being undertaken in her Department with respect to this proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18170/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 383 and 384 together.

I acknowledge the important work that optometrists perform in ensuring the appropriate eye health care of the citizens of Ireland.

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 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 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.

There is also a commitment in the Programme for Government: Securing Ireland's Future to review the National Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology to ensure more eye services are provided in the community.

Work is also ongoing to explore the best way to expand the scope of practice of optometrists so that they can do more in their daily practice. Any relevant budget changes will be made in the context of the commitments in the Programme for Government and the budget available for healthcare priorities.