Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. He also raised it with me on a number of previous occasions in the context of his constituency and region. We have made some progress in respect of it in the meantime. Orthodontic waiting lists are a cause of significant concern. As the Deputy pointed out, for a child or an adolescent at a certain time in his or her life, his or her inability to access this treatment can have quite a significant impact on his or her overall sense of well-being. I have met parents who are concerned about the impact of this on their child's overall health and mental health well-being. I am informed that orthodontic waiting lists have been decreasing since quarter 3 of 2016 - that is, since the middle of last year - following a significant period of increase. The reduction has come about in the aftermath of a procurement initiative undertaken by the HSE. I will arrange for a detailed note on the HSE's plans in this regard to be forwarded to the Deputy. We also intend to publish a national oral health policy this year. It is very important that we have a roadmap for the delivery of dental health policy in Ireland, which we badly need. Considerable work has been undertaken in my Department and by my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Varadkar, in terms of trying to restore some of the dental benefits. The health policy for oral health will be published this year. I will arrange for the Deputy to have a detailed note on this.