Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 1

Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

197 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children and the average waiting time for orthodontic assessment and orthodontic treatment in each of the health board areas; and the plans if any he has to reduce these waiting times. [16567/00]

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

198 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people on orthodontic waiting lists in each of the health board areas; the current waiting time for initial treatment in each area; the plans if any he has to reduce these waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16568/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 198 together.

The provision of orthodontic treatment for eligible persons is the statutory responsibility of the health boards. Waiting lists for orthodontic treatment are maintained by the health boards. The most recent information made available to my Department is as follows:

Health Board	Waiting Time for Assessment	Waiting Time for Treatment	Assessment Waiting List	Treatment Waiting List	Date Information Received
Eastern Regional Health Authority	1-5 years	1 year	9,797	885	9 June 2000
Midland Health Board	3-4 months	1.5-2.5 years	79*	474	9 June 2000
Mid-Western Health Board	2-2.5 years	2-2.5 years	2,299	1,468	31 March 2000
North Eastern Health Board	n/a	6 weeks-2 years	n/a	853	9 June 2000
North Western Health Board	n/a	3.5-4 years	n/a	1,948	9 June 2000
South Eastern Health Board	3 months	20 months	314	560	9 June 2000
Southern Health Board	Patients born in 1986 are currently being given appointments for assessment.	3 years	5,646*	app 5,000*	9 June 2000
Western Health Board		3-3.5 years	769*	2,233	9 June 2000

*As per 31/12/99.

Health board orthodontic services continue to be developed in accordance with the dental health action plan. This year I am providing an additional £1.45 million for health boards on an ongoing basis to further the development of their orthodontic services. I have recently asked health boards to submit proposals to me as to how waiting lists and waiting times for orthodontic treatment in their areas might be further reduced.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

199 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals, if any, he has received from the chief executive officer of each health board in relation to the reduction of orthodontic waiting lists; the plans, if any, he has to provide additional funding for the purpose of reducing these lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16569/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

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.