Organisation directory

There are many healthcare agencies and bodies in Ireland. The most relevant to primary eye care are:

• CORU, also known as the Health and Social Care Professionals Council, is the statutory regulator for optometrists and dispensing opticians.

• Department of Health is the government department with overall responsibility for planning health services. It is made up of 12 divisions, including the Primary Care Division, which is responsible for developing and overseeing primary care policy – including HSE funded eye care.

• Department of Social Protection (DSP) is the government department responsible for the provision of income supports, employment services and other services. The DSP administers the Treatment Benefit Scheme, which entitles those eligible to a free eyesight test once every second calendar year and a payment towards spectacles or contact lenses. Read more about the scheme.

• Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) develops standards and undertakes health technology assessments. You might find the National Standards for Adult Safeguarding is a useful resource or want to promote awareness of Standard 4.1 in the National Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland which sets out the importance of ensuring “each resident has access to screening, early detection and the full range of health and welfare services in the community including dental, optical and aural services”.

• Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) regulates medicines, medical devices and other health products. This includes prescription spectacles, contact lenses, lens implants, hearing aids and cochlear implants and ophthalmic and otological drugs.

• Health Research Board (HRB) supports research and provides evidence to prevent illness, improve health and transform patient care. For example, HRB has published the National Ability Supports System (NASS) which provides information on people with sensory disabilities – including sight and hearing loss.

• Health Service Executive (HSE). Provides public health services in hospitals and communities across the country. It also administers the medical card scheme which entitles holders to a free examination and any necessary standard spectacles once every two years or more often if clinically necessary. Read more about this scheme.
• Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) provides evidence-based public health information for the people of Ireland, North and South.

• Medical Council is the statutory regulator for ophthalmologists.

• Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS), part of the HSE, administers payments to opticians who provide services under the Primary Care Reimbursement scheme.

• Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland (ASAI) ensures providers follow good advertising guidance. Read the ASAI code.

• Central Statistics Office is the official and independent statistics authority and publishes a wide range of data including demographic data, optical service uptake and more.

• Citizens Information Board is the national agency responsible for supporting the provision of information and sets out how patients can access primary eye care and other services.

• Companies Registration Office (CRO) is responsible for the incorporation of companies and registration of business names and enforcement of filing obligations set out in the Companies Act 2014.

• Data Protection Commission (DPC) is the independent authority responsible for protecting the personal data and the supervisory authority for the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Ireland. As a healthcare provider, you will need to be familiar with your legal requirements to protect personal data and compliance with marketing regulations.

• Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has overall responsibility for the administration and enforcement of health and safety at work in Ireland.

• Office of the Revenue Commissioners administers and collects taxes. You might find the following links helpful

         Individual members: Opticians in employment – professional indemnity cover and Information about tax matters for the self-employed

        Practice owner members: VAT on optical services and goods, VAT rates opticians and VAT on audiology services

• Road Safety Agency sets medical standards for driving. Including eyesight requirements. Access the eyesight report form D502.

Associations

• Association of Optometrists Ireland
  
  
• Irish Association of Dispensing Opticians 
• Irish College of Ophthalmologists of Ireland  

Charities

• NCBI (National Council for the Blind Ireland)

• Fight for Sight
  
  
• Fighting Blindness 
• Guide Dogs for the Blind

Members should contact us on [email protected] or call us on 01247 9972.

Originally published: November 2020

Reviewed: NA

Next review date: June 2022

The next review was originally planned for June 2021. This was changed due to prioritising work during the pandemic.