Vol. 517 No. 3
196 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons from County Kerry awaiting orthodontic treatment; the length of time these persons are on the waiting list; the proposals, if any, he has to deal with the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9702/00]
The provision of orthodontic services in County Kerry is the statutory responsibility of the Southern Health Board in the first instance. I have had inquiries made of the Southern Health Board and they inform me that as at 31 March 2000 the number of persons awaiting orthodontic treatment in County Kerry is 896 with an average waiting time of two years.
Orthodontic services continue to be developed in accordance with the dental health action plan. The action plan provides for the development by each health board of a consultant led orthodontic service. My Department is making an additional £0.250 million on an on-going basis available to the Southern Health Board in year 2000 for the further development of its orthodontic services.
197 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called for orthodontic treatment in view of the fact she has spent almost three years on the waiting list. [9703/00]
As the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in County Mayo is the statutory responsibility of the Western Health Board, I have asked the chief executive officer of the Western Health Board to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply to the Deputy directly as a matter of urgency.
