Vol. 536 No. 5
210 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the orthodontic subvention scheme which he announced is not yet in place; if the scheme is in conformity with the Health Acts provision that defects identified in school medical examinations should be rectified free of charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14747/01]
The provision of orthodontic services for persons in the Dublin area is the responsibility of the Eastern Regional Health Authority in the first instance. The proposal from the ERHA for a grant-in-aid scheme was approved by my Department.
I am informed by the chief executive officer of the ERHA that the working group established in the Northern Area Health Board to report on the scheme's implementation is continuing to consider, inter alia, the legal and operational implications of the scheme.
The scheme will operate on a pilot basis in the NAHB for 12 months after the working group has finalised its report on the scheme's implementation.
