Question:
280 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people on each waiting list for orthodontic treatment in each community care area in the Eastern Regional Health Authority. [25785/00]
Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.
The provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons and the maintenance of waiting lists in the Eastern Regional Health Authority area is the statutory responsibility of that authority.
The information requested is not available at present in the format requested by the Deputy. However, the following information which was made available to me by the authority on 10 November 2000 shows the position in relation to waiting lists for assessment for orthodontic treatment by dental area.
|
Dental Area |
Category 1 |
Category 2 |
|
Dun Laoghaire |
35 |
882 |
|
Crumlin |
41 |
1,730 |
|
Cornmarket |
27 |
951 |
|
Roselawn |
26 |
1,647 |
|
Coolock |
31 |
1,064 |
|
Kilbarrack |
52 |
1,335 |
|
Naas |
24 |
1,259 |
|
Wicklow |
31 |
1,351 |
|
Total |
267 |
10,219 |
In addition, there are approximately 800 category two patients who have already been assessed and are awaiting treatment.
Question:
281 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will cover the costs of private orthodontic care for those patients who have been forced to avail of private care because of the inexcusable delay in being offered care. [25786/00]
The provision of orthodontic services throughout the regions is the statutory responsibility of the health boards in the first instance. Health boards may, at their discretion, enter into arrangements with private orthodontists for the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible patients at approved rates.
Patients who enter into their own arrangements with private orthodontists must bear the cost of the treatment provided.