CMCR said:
It is not true to say that just because your child attends a private school you are obliged to pay the full cost of health services in Ireland.
Children in Ireland have the same entitlement to public health services as their parents. Your entitlement to health services is dependent on primarily your residency in Ireland and secondly your means but not on where you go to school.
Thanks for that CMCR - below is a letter from the Principal Dental Surgeon of the East Coast Area Health Board which I received on querying why I was unable to make an appointment for my son at the local Health Centre.
On calling the Health Centre the only question I was asked is 'what school does your son go to?' and as soon as I responded with the name of the school, I was told he could not be treated at the Centre as it's only for National School children.
Henny Penny, you may be interested in his response as well as it doesn't say that the service is available only from 2nd Class.
"Dear Ms .....
I refer to your letter regarding dental treatment for your son. Eligibility for treatment through the school dental service comes under the Health Act (1970).
The following categories of children are eligible:
- Pre-school children
- Children attending National School
- Child dependents of medical card holders.
In addition, eligibility can be extended to other groups or individuals by the Chief Executive of the Health Board, at his discretion. If your son does not fall into any of the above categories and you wish to seek to have him made eligible, you should write to the Chief Executive, (address). You should give details of any reasons, e.g. medical etc., which you feel would support this.
Yours sincerely
Stephen McDermott
Principal Dental Surgeon"
I don't have any special reasons, medical or otherwise, to seek a discretionary eligibility for my son to receive health service treatment, but do feel that all children should be afforded the same service regardless of their background or what school they attend.