Dermot Fitzpatrick
Ceist:120 Dr. Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to provide dental services for adult medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Dental Services.
Dermot Fitzpatrick
Ceist:121 Dr. Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health the additional funding which is to be made available for orthodontic services in 1990, in addition to the £300,000 already allocated in November 1989; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 together. The Deputy will now be aware that the Government have decided to make a further £3 million available to the health board dental services in 1990 in order to improve services for eligible adults and children and to treat further top priority orthodontic cases. A total of £600,000 of this money will be allocated to the orthodontic service which will enable a further 1,000 top priority cases on health board waiting lists to be dealt with. The health boards will be given a degree of autonomy, subject to agreed targets, with regard to the arrangements they make to improve the dental service for adults and the orthodontic service arising from this additional funding.