Dr. Dympna Kavanagh:

I would like to update the Deputy on a Sláintecare initiative in this area, which has just begun, that involves working with our colleagues in the HSE and the NTPF. A total of €110 million has been released to the HSE for waiting list initiatives. Our HSE colleagues can bid into that funding for such initiatives. Separately, Sláintecare, working with our colleagues, is looking at a considered approach with the NTPF, not just for acute services but also for community services, which would include the 17,000 people on the orthodontic waiting list.

A number of key points have emerged from the initiative so far. Fifteen acute specialties have been looked at to date and the evidence that has emerged shows the numbers on the waiting list can be reduced by as much as 20%. It is proposed that a very specific clinical assessment should be taken of cases to see what would give the most value. That effort has just commenced and it involves a three-week, intensive approach. A plan has to be produced at the end of it to provide clear guidelines for both acute and community services, including dental services, to bid in for that waiting list initiative.

The Department is liaising with the NTPF specifically around dental provision because there is concern that some of those services are not being considered by the NTPF, notwithstanding the services, such as dental extractions, that are taking place in public hospitals. Thus far, the information the NTPF holds on dental services is that there are 3,363 surgery cases being dealt with under the fund.

There are 352 that have not been clarifiedvis-à-vistheir condition but the Department is liaising with the NTPF to look at those figures and to expand on what is being recorded in the future. As I said, that waiting list initiative is intended to extend to community services and €110 million has been released for waiting list initiatives.