Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 June 2004
174 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children if in view of the long waiting lists for orthodontic treatment his proposals to deal with the problem; and if he will report on the possibility of providing grant aid for parents who feel in the interest of the health of their children that they must seek private treatment. [16714/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of orthodontic services is a matter for the health boards-authority in the first instance. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that I have taken a number of measures to improve orthodontic services on a national basis.
The grade of specialist in orthodontics has been created in the health board orthodontic service. In 2003, my Department and the health boards funded 13 dentists from various health boards for specialist in orthodontics qualifications at training programmes in Ireland and at three separate universities in the United Kingdom. These 13 trainees for the public orthodontic service are additional to the six dentists who commenced their training in 2001. Thus, there is an aggregate of 19 dentists in specialist training for orthodontics. These measures will complement the other structural changes being introduced into the orthodontic service, including the creation of an auxiliary grade of orthodontic therapist to work in the orthodontic area.
Furthermore, the commitment of the Department to training development is manifested in the funding provided to both the training of specialist clinical staff and the recruitment of a professor in orthodontics for the Cork Dental School. This appointment at the school will facilitate the development of an approved training programme leading to specialist qualification in orthodontics. The chief executive officer of the Southern Health Board has reported that the professor commenced duty on 1 December 2003. In recognition of the importance of this post at Cork Dental School my Department has given approval in principle to a proposal from the school to further substantially improve the training facilities there for orthodontics. This project should see the construction of a large orthodontic unit and support facilities and will ultimately support an enhanced teaching and treatment service to the wider region under the leadership of the professor of orthodontics.
Orthodontic initiative funding of €4.698 million was provided to the health boards-authority in 2001. This has enabled health boards to recruit additional staff, engage the services of private specialist orthodontic practitioners to treat patients and build additional orthodontic facilities.
In June 2002, my Department provided additional funding of €5 million from the treatment purchase fund to health boards-authority specifically for the purchase of orthodontic treatment. This funding is enabling boards to provide both additional sessions for existing staff and purchase treatment from private specialist orthodontic practitioners.
The Northern Area Health Board of the Eastern Regional Health Authority previously proposed a grant in aid scheme for orthodontic treatment similar to that referred to by the Deputy. However, the board received legal advice to the effect that such a scheme would conflict with the statutory provisions of the Health Act 1970.
As part of the implementation process for the national health strategy, a review of all existing eligibility legislation is being undertaken in my Department. Arising from this review, legislation will be drafted to clarify and simplify eligibility and entitlements to health services in line with the goals and objectives set out in the strategy.
The chief executive officers of the health boards-authority have informed my Department that at the end of the March quarter 2004, 21,033 children were receiving orthodontic treatment in the public orthodontic service. This means nearly twice as many children are receiving orthodontic treatment as are waiting to be treated and almost 4,000 extra children have been receiving treatment from health boards-authority since the end of 2001.
175 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health and Children if a grant will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Galway to revamp their van to install a special seat to allow them to transport their child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16715/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of aids and appliances to people with disabilities in any individual case is a matter for the relevant health board. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive officer of the Western Health Board to investigate the case and reply directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
