Vol. 465 No. 6
111 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Health the reason the waiting time for category two patients to receive treatment is not reducing in view of the appointment of two consultant orthodontists to the Eastern Health Board; whether a category two patient (details supplied) in Dublin 22, who has been on the waiting list for a long time, is likely to commence much-needed treatment soon. [10073/96]
Limerick East): The Eastern Health Board currently has the services of one consultant orthodontist who also provides services to the Dublin Dental Hospital. It is expected that a second consultant orthodontist will shortly take up duty with the health board on a whole-time basis. The health board is also renewing efforts to recruit a third consultant orthodontist on a whole-time basis.
The difficulties heretofore experienced by the Eastern Health Board in retaining the services of a consultant orthodontist on a whole-time basis has delayed the full development by the board of a consultant-led orthodontic service as outlined in the dental health action plan. The appointment of a consultant orthodontist on a whole-time basis to the board will enable the board to make further significant progress in the development of the orthodontic services.
As the provision of orthodontic services is the statutory responsibility of the Eastern Health Board I have asked the Chief Executive Officer of the board to respond in detail to the Deputy in regard to the issue raised regarding the category two waiting list and to investigate the position in relation to the individual case highlighted by the Deputy. The board will reply to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
112 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health whether he will consider making funds available to the health boards and/or voluntary organisations to have panic buttons and special telephones provided for the elderly in view of the recent attacks (details supplied). [10131/96]
Limerick East): The information sought in relation to Question No. 112 is as given in answer to Parliamentary Question No. 91 on 27 March 1996.
