asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that residents of the area have to wait up to three months for dental treatment at the Coolock Health Centre, Dublin; and if he will make arrangements whereby a satisfactory dental service will be made available to the people of the Coolock area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Coolock (Dublin) Dental Service.
15.
The provision of dental services for eligible persons in the Coolock area is the responsibility of the Eastern Health Board. I am advised by the board that the average waiting period for routine dental treatment for such persons is six weeks. Emergency cases as they arise are dealt with immediately.
I understand that the board propose to provide a second dental surgery at the Coolock Health Centre, in the near future, in order to improve the service.
Did I hear the Minister say that the waiting period is three months?
I said it is six weeks on average.
Would the Minister endeavour to improve the situation in the west where one is lucky if he can get an appointment after waiting for six or nine months?
If the Deputy puts down a question to that effect, I shall answer him.
Is the Minister aware that the six weeks average waiting time does not apply to other areas in the country?
This is a separate matter. I cannot allow the Deputy to broaden the scope of the question. It refers only to Coolock.
It may be longer or shorter but I was asked a question about a specific area.
Would the Minister not agree that the six weeks' waiting period bears no relation to the situation in other areas where, very often, there is a 12-months' wait?
Perhaps the favouritism shown to Deputy Haughey would be transferred to the mid-West area.
Question No. 16 postponed.