Billy Timmins
Ceist:76 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of orthodontists employed by the Eastern Regional Health Authority [14793/01]
Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.
The provision of orthodontic services is the responsibility of the health boards in the first instance.
The Eastern Regional Health Authority, ERHA, has been allocated an additional £2.34 million this year for orthodontic services of which £1.61 million was for the orthodontic initiative. I am informed by the chief executive officer of the ERHA that under the initiative, a second consultant orthodontist for the authority has been appointed, the appointment of a third is currently in train and the recruitment of a fourth consultant orthodontist is under way. In addition, two specialists orthodontists have been recruited and a further recruitment drive is in progress to recruit four more.
The chief executive officer of the authority has advised me that there are currently two consultant orthodontists, 6.5 wholetime equivalent specialist orthodontists and 2.3 wholetime equivalent dental surgeons employed in the ERHA's orthodontic service. In addition, the authority employs a locum consultant orthodontist on a part-time basis.