Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 1996

Vol. 469 No. 6

Written Answers. - Orthodontic Treatment.

Seamus Brennan

Ceist:

114 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Health his views regarding the case of a 17 year old student who was assessed in June 1994 as qualifying for category 2 orthodontic treatment with a high priority and has not been called for treatment, thereby this student could be aged 20 before any treatment is completed; his further views on the fact that the student's family could afford private dental care while the student attended primary school and they did not avail of an Eastern Health Board clinic, but are now unable to afford private care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18070/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons is the statutory responsibility of the health boards. Persons requiring orthodontic treatment are assessed by the appropriate board in accordance with guidelines issued by my Department and placed on waiting lists according to the severity of their treatment need.

If the Deputy will let me have the details of the individual student in this case I will ask the chief executive officer of the Eastern Health Board to investigate the matter urgently and to respond directly to the Deputy.