FODO Ireland launches new strategy for high-quality, sustainable eye care
A new strategy released by FODO Ireland, the representative body for primary eye care providers in Ireland, sets out the policy priorities it will pursue to ensure that patients have access to high-quality and sustainable primary eye care.
The strategy describes three high-level policy priorities:
- SECURE sustainable primary eye care to meet patient needs.
Garvan Mulligan, chair of FODO Ireland said: “We will continue to work with sector partners to push for fair and sustainable funding for sight tests under both the Community Ophthalmic Services Scheme (COSS) and Treatment Benefit Scheme (TBS). We also know that there is the potential for primary eye care to do more, improving care for patients – for example, we support and will push for implementation of the Government’s commitment to transfer the routine care of children aged eight years and over to primary eye care.”
- SUPPORT sufficient workforce supply to meet demand.
Daro Bjayou, FODO Ireland policy officer, said: “We know that Ireland suffers from a chronic shortage of eye care professionals. Optometrists are now on the Critical Skills Occupations List. We have lobbied for this for some time, so this is very positive news. We will continue to invest in improving the supply of home-grown optometrists and dispensing opticians via the Association of Eye Care Providers of Ireland Educational Charity.”
- ENABLE the sector to deliver high-quality patient care.
Michael Guthrie, FODO Ireland director of policy and regulation, said: “We want to create an environment which minimises burdens on the sector and enables our members to deliver safe, ethical and high-quality patient care. We want optometrists to have opportunities to expand safely their scope of practice – including being able to train as independent prescribers.”
The strategy provides a single page summary of FODO Ireland’s policy priorities for 2026 to 2030. It is intended to provide clarity for members, sector partners and stakeholders about the organisation’s strategic direction.
Read the policy priorities in full.
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Note for editors
FODO Ireland is the representative professional body for primary eye care providers in Ireland.
Our members provide more than half of primary eye care. We exist to ensure members can deliver patient focused care to people of all ages and means in primary care settings. We do this by supporting members with leading sector guidance and championing and shaping the future of eye care so that people get equitable access to the care they need closer to home.