Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 6

Written Answers - Orthodontic Service.

Denis Naughten

Question:

221 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children on the Western Health Board waiting list for orthodontic treatment; the figures for February 1997; and the average waiting time for treatment. [4979/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The provision of orthodontic treatment for persons with entitlements under the Health Acts is the statutory responsibility of the health boards.

The waiting list for orthodontic treatment for the Western Health Board area is maintained by the Western Health Board. I have been advised by the board that there is no waiting list for children in category A, the category of greatest need. The number of children currently on the category B waiting list is 3,070. The number of children on the waiting list at February 1997 was 2,140. The average waiting time is 24 months.

A number of vacancies due to retirements and illnesses took place in 1996 and 1997 which impacted severely on the orthodontic service. These have now been resolved and the board is satisfied that waiting times and waiting lists will show considerable improvement in a short time.