Funding to transfer delivery of children's eyecare yet to come on stream

The eye care programme for treating children over the age of eight is 'ad hoc' at best and needs immediate attention according to local opticians. File picture: iStock

Funding to transfer eyecare for some children on hospital waiting lists to local ophthalmologists has not yet been allocated over eight months since it was announced by the Department of Health.

This is despite waiting lists showing 1,399 children aged under five waiting longer than one year for eyecare around the country. Some 188 are in Cork and Kerry while 184 are in the Clare, Limerick, north Tipperary region.