asked the Minister for Health if he is prepared to negotiate with the Northern Ireland health authorities so that dental treatment and dentures can be made available to people in the qualified categories in County Donegal; and if he will give favourable consideration to this proposal in view of the long waiting list for these services in County Donegal and of the shortage of dental surgeons in the area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Dental Services.
27.
Mr. O'Malley
I understand that, arising from a resolution adopted by Donegal Health Authority at its meeting held on 23rd instant, inquiries are already being pursued as to the possibility of securing the services of dentists in Northern Ireland to assist in the provision of dental services for eligible persons in the Donegal area.
My information is that such an arrangement would be a matter for private negotiation between dentists in practice in Northern Ireland, as individuals, and Donegal Health Authority, and I think that for the present the outcome of the negotiations put in train by the health authority might be awaited.
I may add that three private dentists in Northern Ireland are already employed on a sessional basis by Donegal Health Authority.