Vol. 394 No. 8
72 Mr. T. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health whether the Exchequer allocation for the dental, aural and ophthalmic services has been cut in real terms, by reference to the rate of inflation, since the beginning of 1987; and the steps, if any, he is taking to meet the resultant waiting lists.
I accept that there has been some reduction since 1987 in real terms in expenditure by health boards on dental, aural and ophthalmic services. Health boards decided on the appropriate priority to be given to these services.
I have already recognised in this House that the level of dental services provided by the health boards is inadequate at present.
However, I was pleased to announce in November 1989 that the Government had made an additional sum of £300,000 available to enable treatment to commence immediately on 500 top priority orthodontic cases before the end of 1989. I am currently examining the possibility of making further additional resources available to bring about a further improvement in the orthodontic services and an improvement in the provision of routine dental treatment for eligible adults.
In regard to the funding of ophthalmic and aural services, I provided additional resources last year from the special allocation of £15 million for general hospitals and these resources will assist in the reduction of waiting lists in these areas.
