Health Services
Dail Éireann — 2026-09-30
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Mattie McGrath (IND), Tipperary South

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for choosing this Topical Issue. It is an important issue. Deputy Murphy put the figures on the record. I will do it again. Some 2,300 people are waiting, 1,500 of whom are children. It is an appalling vista two years on from Dr. Hillary's retirement, who was an exceptionally wonderful practitioner. She gave a year's notice she was leaving so this has been going on for three years. Why is the HSE so incapable of filling this position? We are told Waterford is now holding extra clinics to accommodate south Tipperary patients but this is not happening. Delays in identifying and treating eye conditions can and will lead to long-term eye problems. That is scientifically and medically proven. They have to be treated before the age of seven, which is a vital cut-off.
Why can we not have private fully qualified eye specialists do these tests on young children, to be reimbursed by the HSE? Clinics call to schools. A school in my area was called to recently. An initial screening is done and they are referred on but then they cannot get a test so they have to go private, which costs €50 minimum and then €300 to €500 for glasses. Will the Minister of State commit to ensuring children who require glasses, following private assessment, can still access HSE funding? It is a simple solution. I think it suits the HSE not have this position filled. It is appalling. The system works in other parts of the country. Surely it is in the interests of our children - mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí. It is very basic that our children have a right to have their eyesight checked and treated if necessary. There is a roadmap by which it could be paid for until we get a permanent position or even a temporary one. Something is very wrong if after three recruitment campaigns the Government cannot seem to recruit a person, or does it want to?

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-09-30/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-10-05T01:00:59+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-09-30