I propose to take Questions Nos. 358 and 372 together.
The provision and management of orthodontic services in the Southern Health Board, SHB – including the matter referred to by the Deputy – are the responsibilities of the chief executive officer of that board in the first instance. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that I have taken a number of measures to improve orthodontic services in the SHB area and on a national basis.
In the short term, I have funded an orthodontic initiative to ease current pressures on the system. Additional funding of €6.729 million was approved for orthodontic services in 2001, of which €4.698 million was to fund an initiative on orthodontic waiting lists. This is enabling health boards to recruit additional staff and engage the services of private specialist orthodontic practitioners to treat patients. The SHB was allocated an additional €1.191 million in 2001 for orthodontic services of which €1.032 million was for the orthodontic initiative. The post of consultant orthodontist for Tralee was advertised through the Local Appointments Commission, LAC, on two separate occasions but unfortunately there were no successful candidates. The efforts of the board are hindered by the limited availability of suitably qualified candidates for the post.