asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that a person (details supplied) in County Galway was two years on a waiting list to see an orthodontist in the Western Health Board area and that he has now been waiting one-and-a-half years for sanction in respect of fixed appliances treatment; and if he will make a statement on this matter.
Written Answers . - County Galway Dental Facilities .
637.
: I am aware of this case and I am most concerned about serious delays of this nature. In normal circumstances the child in question would be receiving fixed appliance treatment at this stage. However, this particular type of treatment is one for which the Department of Health has been seeking to get agreement since July 1981 on a scale of charges with the private orthodontists who provide the service on behalf of the health boards. The absence of an agreed scale of charges has led to a hold up in the isue of authorisations for treatment. Discussions on a fixed scale of fees are in progress with the private orthodontists and I am hopeful that agreement will shortly be reached so that treatments can again be proceeded with without delay.