Vol. 518 No. 4
171 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make the necessary resources available to the Western Health Board, where there is an orthodontic waiting list of three years, in order to enable persons (details supplied) in County Mayo to receive urgently needed orthodontic treatment. [11867/00]
Health boards continue to develop their orthodontic services in accordance with the dental health action plan. I am making additional funding of £0.150 million available to the Western Health Board in year 2000, on an ongoing basis, to expand and improve the current orthodontic service in the region.
The provision of orthodontic services 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 with regard to these individuals and reply directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
172 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in receiving orthodontic treatment for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin in view of the fact that he has been on the waiting list since 1993; and when treatment will commence. [11868/00]
As the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in County Dublin is the statutory responsibility of the Eastern Regional Health Authority I have asked the regional chief executive of that health authority to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply to the Deputy directly as a matter of urgency.
