Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Sep 1999

Vol. 508 No. 1

Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

446 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children awaiting orthodontic treatment in each health board area in each of the relevant categories; and the number of children on waiting lists in each health board area for between six months to one year, in excess of one year up to two years, in excess of two years up to three years, in excess of three years up to four years, in excess of four years up to five years and in excess of five years. [17518/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen):

The provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons is the statutory responsibility of the eight health boards.

I have had inquiries made of the health boards and the number of children currently awaiting treatment is as follows:

Health Boards	Category A	Category B
Eastern Health Board	83 (awaiting assessment)	7,736 (awaiting assessment)
Midland Health Board	Nil	655
Mid-Western Health Board	Nil	1,236
North-Eastern Health Board	21	1,370
North-Western Health Board		1,843 (Category A + B)
South-Eastern Health Board		609 (Category A + B)
Southern Health Board	Nil	8,079
Western Health Board	Nil	2,275

Eastern Health Board: Treatment commences within a short period of time following assessment.

Health Board	EHB	MHB	MWHB	NEHB	NWHB	SEHB	SHB	WHB
Up to 6 mths	1059	133	549	194	202	175	270	230
6 - 12 mths	2377	270	227	263	268	182	740	415
1 – 2 yrs	2283	160	460	417	503	252	2967	1182
2 – 3 yrs	2001	92	Nil		363	Nil	4063	448
3 – 4 yrs	99	–	Nil	496	272	Nil	39	Nil
4 – 5 yrs	Nil	–	Nil		235	Nil	Nil	Nil
In excess of 5 yrs	Nil		Nil		Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
Total	7819	655	1236	1370	1843	609	8079	2275

North-Eastern Health Board: Figures above refer to category B patients only. A breakdown of waiting times over two years is not available.