Written answers
Thursday, 13 November 2025
Department of Health
Health Services Waiting Lists
Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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429. To ask the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to concerns in relation to the provision of podiatry care due to waiting lists particularly for elderly patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62332/25]
Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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434. To ask the Minister for Health her views on the adequacy of financial support available to elderly persons in receipt of a podiatry card; if she has been made aware of the significant top up payments required for patients that use this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62337/25]
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 429 and 434 together.
Chiropodists/podiatrists assess, diagnose and treat conditions and abnormalities of the foot and lower limb. These services can significantly improve a person's quality of life by alleviating painful symptoms and maintaining mobility. The demand for such services is increasing due to our aging demographic.
The availability of chiropody services provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE) varies across the country. Where chiropody services are provided by the HSE the following groups usually get priority:
- Medical card holders who are aged 65 and over
- People who have Health Amendment Act Cards
- People who have illnesses such as diabetes or arthritis
- People with disabilities
In County Dublin and County Wicklow primarily, there has been a long-standing chiropody treatment card scheme, where qualified podiatrists can apply to be on a register as a HSE approved chiropodist/podiatrist. Once approved, patients can request to attend the private podiatrist clinic or request a domiciliary visit from a private podiatrist.
Medical Card holders over the age of 65 years or people with Diabetes who hold a medical card (or in some cases, a Long Term Illness card), are entitled to apply for a chiropody treatment card. Each person under this scheme can avail of 3-6 treatments per year. The HSE pays the private podiatrist €33.41 for a domiciliary visit and €22.88 for clinical visit. The patients then top up the payment themselves and the fee is determined by the podiatrist.
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