Pádraic McCormack
Ceist:88 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Health when the 1993 orthodontic grant will be paid to the Western Health Board; and the amount that is due.
Written Answers. - Orthodontic Grant.
For the past few years my Department has made a special additional allocation available to the Western Health Board specifically for the development of orthodontic services. This special additional allocation, amounting to £74,500, is now part of the Western Health Board's annual allocation for the continuing provision of the orthodontic services.
The Government has provided an additional £2 million this year to provide for further improvements in dental services as part of the Programme for a Partnership Government and a portion of this amount will be allocated to the orthodontic services. I have asked all the health boards to submit proposals, as a matter of urgency, on the most cost effective use of these resources.