Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 September 2012
205. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which school medical examinations remain on target; if any particular health issues have emerged which may require attention in terms of follow up procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41177/12]
View answerThe National Child Health Surveillance and Screening Office (CHS) was established by the HSE to oversee child health surveillance, it is part of a more general programme that relates to secondary prevention by early detection. Routine medical examinations for school age children are not provided as they have not been found to be an effective use of scarce resources. However, the hearing and vision of children is tested usually in junior or senior infants, and vision of children again in 5th or 6th class. In many schools a questionnaire is given to families about a child's health, but the practice and content of the questionnaire vary from area to area.
I am not aware of any specific health issues emerging from these examinations that require attention at a national level. However, any health issues for individual children would be notified to their parents/guardians with advice on the approriate course of action to take.
