As the Deputy is aware, the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons is the responsibility of the health boards/authority in the first instance.
In June 2002, my Department provided additional once-off funding of €5 million from the treatment purchase fund to health boards specifically for the purchase of orthodontic treatment. One of the general principles governing the scheme for orthodontics was that each health board would use its allocation to treat those cases waiting longest, in accordance with their severity of need. This funding is enabling boards to provide both additional sessions for existing staff and purchase treatment from private specialist orthodontic practitioners.
My Department collects and collates orthodontic waiting list data from the health boards at the end of each quarter. The latest quarter for which my Department has received data is December 2002. The chief executive officers of the health boards have informed me that the number of cases awaiting treatment and the average waiting time for treatment at the end of this quarter is as follows:
Treatment Waiting List