Vol. 535 No. 5
163 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans he has for the provision of a new orthodontic unit for County Kerry to facilitate the waiting list for the service in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13114/01]
The provision of orthodontic services in County Kerry is the responsibility of the Southern Health Board in the first instance.
Following recommendations in the Moran Report – Review of Orthodontic Services – structural changes are being introduced into the orthodontic services. These structural changes include the creation of the grade of specialist in orthodontics, the development of specialist training programmes and the creation of a grade of auxiliary dental worker to work in the orthodontic area. 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. Additional funding of £5.3 million has been provided for orthodontic services this year, of which £3.7 million is to fund an initiative on orthodontic waiting lists. This will enable health boards to recruit additional staff and engage the services of private practitioners to treat patients.
165 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health and Children when orthodontic treatment will commence for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13116/01]
As the provision of orthodontic services to eligible persons in Dublin 9 is the statutory responsibility of the Eastern Regional Health Authority, I have asked the chief executive officer of that authority to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
