asked the Minister for Health if he will provide additional funds to the Southern Health Board to allow the board to provide an adequate orthodontic service for school children, as the present system has virtually collapsed due to long delays.
Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service for School Children.
117.
I do not allocate funds to the health boards to cover the provision of specific services. Each health board receives a global allocation to cover the services it provides and it is entirely a matter for the board to allocate funds across its range of services as it sees fit. The Local Appointments Commission advertised the post of consultant orthodontist for the Southern Health Board on a number of occasions without success. I understand that the board is reviewing the situation at present.