Vol. 519 No. 5
172 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will approve funding to the Western Health Board to provide private orthodontic treatment to children currently on the public orthodontic waiting list on a contract basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14094/00]
The provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in the Western Health Board area is the statutory responsibility of that health board. Waiting lists for orthodontic treatment are maintained by the health boards.
As part of an initiative to deal with orthodontic waiting lists, my Department has asked the chief executive officer of each health board for proposals to reduce orthodontic waiting lists in the event of additional funds becoming available for this purpose.
My Department will examine all proposals made with a view to reducing the orthodontic waiting lists as efficiently and effectively as possible within the resources available.
173 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children when he will implement the agreed proposals currently with his Department to introduce a national set of criteria for orthodontic assessment in light of the current inequalities there are between various health board regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14095/00]
The report on orthodontic services which was made to the chief executive officers of the health boards has been under discussion between my Department and representatives of the chief executive officers on a number of occasions. Some interested parties have also commented on the report.
The report contains a range of recommendations including recommendations as to an appropriate severity index for use by all health boards in determining need.
Many of the proposals in the report are being implemented as part of the dental health action plan while the implications of others are still being teased out with the health boards and other interests. My Department will give a full response to the chief executive officers on all aspects of the report in the near future.
