Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Jan 1997

Vol. 473 No. 4

Written Answers. - Dental Treatment.

Michael Ring

Question:

161 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the Western Health Board to ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Mayo receives dental treatment immediately in view of the fact that the delay is causing hardship. [1221/97]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The provision of dental treatment to persons in County Mayo is the responsibility of the Western Health Board.

I understand from the board that in the special circumstances of this case the board made arrangements for this person to receive dental treatment. However, in the meantime, the dental surgeon who would have carried out the treatment unfortunately resigned. The Western Health Board has undertaken to provide the necessary treatment when the replacement has been recruited.

I have been further advised by the board that despite the best efforts of the board, through advertising and using every other available means, it has so far 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.

The Western Health Board is continuing in its efforts to appoint a replacement dentist in the Belmullet area.

Michael Ring

Question:

162 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the Western Health Board to ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Mayo receives dental treatment immediately in view of the fact that the delay is causing hardship. [1222/97]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): As the provision of dental treatment 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.

Michael Ring

Question:

163 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the Western Health Board to ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Mayo who has been waiting for over three years to have a dental brace fitted, is called immediately in view of the fact that the delay is causing hardship. [1223/97]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): As the provision of orthodontic treatment 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.