Vol. 532 No. 1
158 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Health and Children if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 223 of 11 October 2000, he will now provide a further point-by-point update on the initiative to improve orthodontic services and reduce the waiting lists in the Eastern Regional Health Authority area. [6455/01]
The provision of orthodontic services in the Eastern Regional Health Authority is the statutory responsibility of that authority in the first instance. The chief executive officer of the ERHA has advised me of the following developments in the region in relation to its initiative to improve the orthodontic services: (i) the appointment of two additional consultant orthodontists is currently in train; (ii) a third consultant orthodontist post has been approved by my Department and the recruitment process is currently under way; (iii) two orthodontic specialists have been recruited and a further recruitment drive is in progress; (iv) interviews to recruit three managers to manage the orthodontic services in the three area health boards are currently being arranged; (v) interviews for ancillary staff to assist orthodontists will shortly take place; (vi) a six surgery facility at the Loughlinstown regional orthodontic unit has been developed and is currently being equipped; vii) as part of the orthodontic initiative, the Department also approved a proposal from the Eastern Regional Health Authority for a grant-in-aid scheme.
Under the scheme, patients who meet the criteria laid down for non-urgent routine treatment will be given the option of availing of treatment from a private orthodontic practitioner. A grant of 50% of the board's overall estimated cost of treatment would be paid. Parents could also avail of income tax relief on the balance where appropriate. A grant of 100% of the board's estimated cost of treatment would be paid in respect of medical card holders. The scheme will operate on a pilot basis in the Northern Area Health Board for 12 months. A working group on the implementation of the scheme within the board is being established. The target date for the implementation of the pilot scheme is 1 April this year; (viii) a five surgery unit is being commissioned at St. James's Hospital, equipment has been ordered and will be installed as soon as it is delivered; (ix) the development of a further orthodontic unit at Beaumont hospital is being planned.
