asked the Minister for Health the reasons for reducing the number of dentists operating from the Ballymun health centre, Dublin, from two to one; and if he will reverse his decision immediately in view of the hardship such a move will cause to the families and in particular to the school children in the area.
Written Answers. - Ballymun Health Centre Dentists.
248.
The deployment of health board staff within any particular health board area is a matter for the chief executive officer of the health board concerned.
The current embargo on the recruitment of additional staff in the public service has given rise to a shortage of dentists in the Eastern Health Board. It is necessary, therefore, for the board to redeploy dental staff from time to time to ensure, in so far as possible, that an equitable level of service for eligible persons operates throughout the health board area. In accordance with this policy a dentist who worked at the Ballymun clinic for four days per week was transferred to Blanchardstown to help to cope with the waiting list that has developed in this rapidly growing area. The health board is keeping the situation under constant review to ensure that no undue hardship is caused to eligible persons in any particular area.