Vol. 517 No. 3
170 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department will meet the costs of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo to undergo private orthodontic treatment as she has already waited three years for treatment and her condition affects her speech, her confidence and ultimately her performance in school. [9534/00]
The provision of orthodontic treatment in County Mayo is the statutory responsibility of the Western Health Board in the first instance. I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 8343/00 of 22 March 2000 raised by the Deputy in relation to this individual and I understand that the Western Health Board has responded to him with a detailed report on this case.
My Department does not provide funding for private orthodontic treatment. However, the individual concerned may be eligible for tax relief on expenditure incurred for private treatment. Perhaps the Deputy could advise her to contact her local tax office for further information.
