Michael Ring
Question:203 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a dentist will be appointed to Belmullet, County Mayo in view of the situation of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [17782/97]
Written Answers. - Health Board Appointments.
The appointment of dentists to the Belmullet area and the provision of dental treatment to eligible persons in the area is the statutory responsibility of the Western Health Board.
I have been advised by the board that it is continuing its efforts to recruit professional dental staff for the Belmullet area. In the meantime, the Belmullet clinic is being served by professional staff from Ballina and occasionally Westport or Castlebar, depending on availability of staff in these clinics. Due to severe staff shortages in Ballina dental clinic throughout most of 1997, Belmullet was not being served as often as necessary. As staffing levels in Ballina have now improved, the service to Belmullet will resume in the new year.
I have asked the chief executive officer of the Western Health Board to investigate the position regarding dental treatment for the person to which the Deputy refers and to reply to the Deputy directly as a matter of urgency.