Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 February 2026
494. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made in developing a national eye health workforce strategy under Sláintecare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15738/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2017, the Health Service Executive (HSE) published a National Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology, which set out a model of care regarding how the realignment of eye services from an acute hospital setting to the community would be undertaken.
The HSE has been developing multidisciplinary Integrated Eye Care Teams in accordance with this model of care. These teams facilitate assessment, diagnoses, management and treatment, and in some cases pre-op/post-op care, enabling most patients to be seen in their own locality. Where necessary, patients can be referred onwards to acute Ophthalmology services to receive the necessary specialist input.
The Programme for Government: Securing Ireland’s Future contains a commitment to review the National Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology to ensure more eye services are provided in the community. Engagement with relevant stakeholders regarding this is ongoing.
As the Deputy also raised a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
