Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 20 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 3

Written Answers. - Orthodontic Services.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

342 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons on the orthodontic waiting list designated at category I, II, III and IV in each of the health boards; the number of patients who entered treatment for the first time in the most recent 12 month period for which information is available in each health board; the average waiting time for category II patients in each of the health boards; and the number of new surgeries which he will provide in each health board over the coming 12 months. [9737/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons under the Health Acts is the statutory responsibility of the health boards.

Waiting lists for orthodontic treatment are maintained by the health boards. I have had inquiries made of the health boards and the information received from the health boards is set out in tabular form below.

HealthBoard	Orthodontic Waiting List	Number who commenced treatment in 12 months period	Average waitingtime forCategory II	Proposed new surgeries
EHB	Treatment	648 (in 12 month period to 31-12-98)	3 years 10 months	2 new surgeries in 1999
	Category I: Nil
	Category II: Nil
	(No Category III of IV lists)	250 (in 3 months ended 31-3-99)
	Assessment:
	Category I: Nil
	Category II: 6,418
	(No Categories III or IV)
HealthBoard	Orthodontic Waiting List	Number who commenced treatment in 12 months period	Average waitingtime forCategory II	Proposed new surgeries
MHB	Longford/Westmenth	212	18 months	Nil
	Category A: Nil
	Category B: 220
	Category C: 28
	Laois/Offaly	151	2 years	Nil
	Category A: Nil
	Category B: 472
	Category C: Nil
MWHB	Categroy II: 956	576	1 year	No plans for new surgeries (4) surgeries installed over the last 12 mths)
NEHB	Categories A, B, & C: 2,047	416	2.4 years	Navan: 5 new surgeries this yearDundalk: 5 new surgeries next year
SEHB	534 (Categories A, B and C)	1,248 undergoing treatment at31-12-98	18 months	No plans for new surgeries
SHB	Category I: Nil	900	2.5 years	No plans for new surgeries
	Category II & III: 4,000Category IV: Nil
WHB	One list maintained by board: 3,838	948	2.5 years	No plans for new surgeries

Categories A, B and C are broadly similar to Categories I, II, and III.

Information on the North Western Health Board area will be sent to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.