Vol. 543 No. 2
336 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will consider a policy in the Western Health Board area to allow parents to have their children treated privately and to refund half the cost if the parents do not hold a medical card; if he will examine having the full costs refunded if the parents hold a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25912/01]
The provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons is the statutory responsibility of the health boards in the first instance. The terms of the grant in-aid scheme for orthodontic treatment described by the Deputy had been proposed by the Northern Area Health Board – NAHB – of the Eastern Regional Health Authority – ERHA. However, the board has received legal advice to the effect that such a grant-in-aid scheme would conflict with the statutory provisions of the Health Act, 1970. Additional funding of £495,000, 628,000, has been allocated to the Western Health Board – WHB – this year for orthodontic services of which £420,000, 533,000, was for an orthodontic initiative in the board. The chief executive officer of the WHB has informed me that a specialist in orthodontics was recently recruited – the board envisages that he will start work this month. In addition, the board currently has two dentists in training for specialist in orthodontics qualifications. I am confident that these developments on aggregate will increase the number of patients in orthodontic treatment. I am informed by the chief executive officer of the WHB that at the end of the September 2001 quarter there were 1,589 patients in orthodontic treatment in the board of which 187 patients were being treated under arrangements with private specialist orthodontic practitioners.
337 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application for orthodontic treatment by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25922/01]
As the provision of orthodontic services to eligible persons in County Kildare is the statutory responsibility of the Eastern Regional Health Authority, I have asked the chief executive officer of that authority to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
