Vol. 473 No. 4
140 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called to have a brace fitted by the Western Health Board in view of the fact that she has been on the waiting list for over two years. [25281/96]
Limerick East): As the provision of orthodontic services to eligible persons in County Mayo is the statutory responsibility of the Western Health Board, I have asked the chief executive officer of the Western Health Board to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply to the Deputy directly as a matter of urgency.
141 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health when a replacement dentist will be recruited for Belmullet, County Mayo, in view of the fact that no dentist has been servicing the people in this area for many months. [1014/97]
Limerick East): I refer to Question No. 121 of 5 November 1996 which the Deputy asked on this issue in which I was advised by the Western Health Board that every effort is being made by the board to recruit a replacement dentist for the Belmullet area as soon as possible.
I have been further advised by the Western Health Board that despite the best efforts of the board through advertising and using every other available means, it has not been possible to recruit a full-time dentist for the Belmullet area. Cover is provided on two days per week by a dentist who travels from Ballina. In addition, two evening sessions are provided for the town area by a dentist who resides locally but, who is not available to provide any additional services to the board.
The Western Health Board has advised me that it is not possible to say when a full-time dentist will be available due to difficulties experienced by the board in recruiting in remote areas.
