Cecilia Keaveney
Question:64 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health and Children the position on the provision of school dentists in Inishowen, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14623/99]
Written Answers. - Orthodontic Services.
The provision of dental services to national school children in the Inishowen area and the recruitment of dentists for the area is the statutory responsibility of the North-Western Health Board.
I have had inquiries made of the North-Western Health Board. I understand that to meet my Department's criteria for the provision of services under the dental health action plan the board would require four dental clinics staffed by four dental teams. I have been advised by the board that at present there are three dental surgeries and there are 1.6 wholetime equivalent dentists providing services in the following centres: Moville – three days per week; Carndonagh – three days per week; Buncrana – two days per week.
The board is continuing its efforts to recruit additional dentists for the area.
Cecilia Keaveney
Question:65 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will be called for orthodontic works in view of the fact that he was considered an emergency case a year ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14624/99]
As the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in County Donegal is the statutory responsibility of the North-Western Health Board I have asked the chief executive officer of the North-Western Health Board to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply to the Deputy directly as a matter of urgency.