asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that there are 2,267 young people on the waiting list for orthodontic treatment in County Galway and that at the present rate of progress persons at the end of the waiting list will not receive treatment for seven years and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - County Galway Orthodontic Service.
518.
I am informed by the Western Health Board that if all cases awaiting orthodontic treatment are taken into account, including those where the defect is of a relatively minor nature, then the waiting list in County Galway is of the order of the figure quoted by the Deputy. However, at the present rate of progress those at the end of the waiting list should receive treatment within four years at the outside. The waiting time for orthodontic treatment in County Galway and throughout the Western Health Board generally is expected to be greatly reduced if the health board is successful in its present efforts to recruit a full-time consultant orthodontist to its staff.