Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 5 May 1999

Vol. 504 No. 2

Written Answers. - Orthodontic Services.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

229 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 98 of 28 April 1999, he will bring forward the plan for an orthodontic unit in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, in view of the fact that the waiting list for orthodontic treatment in the Eastern Health Board area is twice that of the rest of the country; and the further steps, if any, which need to be taken before this service will become a reality. [11662/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen):

The provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in the Eastern Health Board area is the statutory responsibility of the Eastern Health Board. The board has recently completed a planning brief for the proposed regional orthodontic unit at Beaumont Hospital and has submitted this brief to my Department for consideration and approval.

The brief will be the subject of discussions between the Eastern Health Board and officials of my Department in the near future.