Vol. 534 No. 3
152 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the facilities in St. Columcille's, Loughlinstown, County Dublin, for orthodontic treatment for children from County Wicklow; the number of orthodontists who are employed to see these children; the number who have been employed in the past few months; if there are plans to employ more; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10388/01]
153 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children from County Wicklow who are on the orthodontic waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10389/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 153 together.
The provision of orthodontic services in County Wicklow is the responsibility of the Eastern Regional Health Authority – ERHA – in the first instance. I am informed by the chief executive of the ERHA that there are currently 1,300 patients on the orthodontic assessment waiting list in County Wicklow of which 45 are category I patients and 1,255 are category II patients. I have provided funding for the development of a new regional orthodontic unit at St. Columcille's Hospital. This unit is currently being equipped. It is envisaged that the unit will be operational by the end of this month. A consultant orthodontist and one specialist orthodontist have been appointed to this unit and are currently operating out of St. James's Hospital. The East Coast Area Health Board also provides services from a satellite clinic at Ballinteer Health Centre where another specialist is employed. The East Coast Area Health Board is in the process of recruiting administrative and nursing staff and will shortly commence an advertising campaign to attract additional specialists into the orthodontic service.
154 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the length of time a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow has been on the Eastern Regional Health Authority waiting list for orthodontic treatment; when this person will receive this treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10390/01]
As the provision of orthodontic services to eligible persons in County Wicklow is the statutory responsibility of the Eastern Regional Health Authority, I have asked the chief executive officer of that authority to investigate this case and to reply directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
