Michael Ring
Ceist:133 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a proper dental service will be provided for the children of north Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3007/99]
Written Answers. - Dental Services.
The provision of dental services to eligible persons in the north Mayo area is the statutory responsibility of the Western Health Board.
I have had inquiries made of the Western Health Board. I am advised by the board that there are three posts vacant on the dental staff in the Mayo community care area, that is, Castlebar, Swinford and Belmullet. Competitions for these posts were advertised in both Ireland and the UK in late 1998 but unfortunately the board received no applications. The board is preparing to place further advertisements which it hopes will prove successful in attracting applicants.
As the Deputy is aware, for the past number of years health boards have been progressively adopting a planned targeted approach to the delivery of dental services to national school children and phasing out a demand led system. Unfortunately, some health boards can have difficulty in filling dental posts in geographically remote areas and in fully implementing the school based approach. I have asked my Department to explore with health boards ways in which it might be possible for the boards to provide an adequate dental service to children in areas which experience persistent recruitment difficulties.