William Cotter
Ceist:133 Mr. Cotter asked the Minister for Health when it is proposed to recruit and appoint a dentist to the Clones area of County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Appointment of Dental Surgeon.
I understand from the North-Eastern Health Board that the board do not have the dental manpower at present to locate a dental surgeon in Clones but that arrangements have been made by the board to provide dental treatment for persons living in Clones.
The North Eastern Health Board continue to experience difficulty in recruiting dental surgeons. The Local Appointments Commission have been asked to fill a number of dental vacancies in the North-Eastern Health Board region and the process will continue until suitable candidates are found. In the meantime, the North-Eastern Health Board are making continuous efforts to appoint temporary dental surgeons where there are vacancies in the permanent staffing and they are also examining various options in relation to extending the use of services of private dental practitioners. When additional dental personnel become available to the Cavan-Monaghan Community care area, arrangements will be made to provide a dental service in the Clones health centre.