Dan Neville
Ceist:249 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children when orthodontic treatment will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [24835/99]
Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.
As I explained to the Deputy in response to his Question 22212/99 of 9 November 1999 regarding this particular individual, the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in County Limerick is the statutory responsibility of the Mid-Western Health Board.
On foot of the Deputy's question, I wrote to the chief executive officer of the Mid-Western Health Board to investigate the position in relation to this case. I understand that the Deputy has received a reply from the Mid-Western Health Board dated 15 November 1999 explaining that the individual referred to by the Deputy was placed on the treatment waiting list on 11 May 1999. The board explained in their letter that there is a shortage of appropriately qualified staff and this is limiting their ability to deal with the waiting list. At present, the board is deal ing with patients placed on the waiting list since June-July 1998 and the individual referred to by the Deputy will be given an appointment as soon as possible.