Tom Moffatt
Ceist:83 Dr. Moffatt asked the Minister for Health if he will impress upon the Western Health Board the need to appoint an orthodontist to St. Joseph's Hospital, Ballina, County Mayo, to service the north Mayo area. [5602/95]
Written Answers. - Orthodontist Appointment.
Limerick East): It is the Department's policy to ensure that an equitable level of orthodontic service is provided throughout the country. In accordance with this policy the Western Health Board has recruited a consultant orthodontist to service the health board area. A second consultant orthodontic post for the area is not proposed.
In addition to her own direct clinical involvement the consultant organises and co-ordinates training for health board dentists so that a fully developed framework of orthodontic expertise is available to meet the needs of the entire area.
In 1994 my Department provided an additional £414,000 to the Western Health Board to fund the board's orthodontic service. My Department is in consultation with the Western Health Board regarding the further development in 1995 of the board's consultant led orthodontic services.