Vol. 510 No. 5
170 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of orthodontists available and working in each health board area; if numbers have increased or decreased in this area over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23105/99]
The provision of orthodontic services is the statutory responsibility of the health boards. The employment of relevant staff to provide these services is a matter for the chief executive officer of each board. The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. I have asked the chief executive officers to forward the relevant information and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as it is collated.
