Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Apr 2001

Vol. 533 No. 6

Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

261 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will give an update on the waiting list for orthodontic treatment in the Western Health Board area; if he has satisfied himself with the length of time patients have to wait for orthodontic treatment; the steps he proposes to take to shorten this waiting time, and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9780/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

The provision of orthodontic services is the responsibility of health boards in the first instance. I recognise that the waiting times for orthodontic treatment are unacceptably long. Following recommendations in the Moran report, review of orthodontic services, structural changes are being introduced in orthodontic services. However, it will be some time before these structural changes impact significantly on service levels. Consequently, I asked health boards to develop proposals to make an immediate significant impact on their waiting lists. As a result, funds of £5.3 million have been provided for orthodontic services this year, of which £3.7 million is to fund an initiative on orthodontic waiting lists.

This year the Western Health Board, WHB, has received an additional investment of £495,000 for orthodontic services, of which £420,000 is to fund its initiative on orthodontic waiting lists. This additional investment will enable the board to recruit additional staff and engage the services of private orthodontists.

The WHB has informed me that as of 28 February 2001, its waiting list for orthodontic treatment was 2,093. The board envisages that these measures would mean an additional 600 patients would be seen this year. The board's objective is to reduce the treatment waiting period to not more than 12 months over the next three years.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

262 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the four year waiting list for orthodontic treatment and the fact that many parents have to have this treatment carried out privately at extreme cost to themselves, he will make available a refund to parents of children over two years on the waiting list who have had orthodontic treatment carried out privately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9781/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

The provision of orthodontic services is the responsibility of health boards in the first instance. There is no provision to refund the cost of private orthodontic treatment obtained by a patient independent of their health board. Such persons may be eligible for income tax relief.

However, as part of the orthodontic initiative, the Department approved a proposal from the ERHA for a grant-in-aid scheme. Under the scheme, patients who meet the criteria laid down for non-urgent routine treatment will be given the option of availing of treatment from a private orthodontic practitioner. A grant of 50% of the board's overall estimated cost of treatment would be paid. Parents could also avail of income tax relief on the balance where appropriate. A grant of 100% of the board's estimated cost of treatment would be paid in respect of medical card holders. The scheme will operate on a pilot basis in the Northern Area Health Board for 12 months. A working group has been examining this proposal and hope to finalise it in the coming weeks.