Vol. 486 No. 1
606 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Health and Children the current position regarding the appointment of a school's dental surgeon to cater for the needs of the 2,500 children attending schools in the Headford, Cloghanover, Cornamona, Annaghdown, Tirellan Heights and St. Patrick's Schools who have been without a dentist for over a year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2158/98]
The provision of dental services to national school children in the Galway area is the statutory responsibility of the Western Health Board. I understand from the board that a post of senior dental surgeon to provide services for the area is due to be advertised by the Local Appointments Commission in March next. Pending a permanent appointment the board has made several attempts to fill the post in a temporary capacity. These attempts have not been successful to date. Most recently the board advertised the post on 25 January 1998 with a closing date of 12 February 1998. In the meantime the board continues to provide emergency relief to pain to all children in these schools through referrals from teachers, parents and health professionals.
