Mr. Fintan Hourihan:

What I can say is that, yes, there are specialist orthodontists in private practice who could do the work. There is a shortage. I think one of the consultants in the north east retired in recent times, which has probably exacerbated the problem. As to the reason why, it may be that there is a funding issue. I do not know why families are being asked if the children are being sent to the North for orthodontic treatment. From time to time, the HSE will put out to tender and ask private specialist orthodontists to submit. It sounds like that is probably what is needed in the north east. I could not be certain of the availability because, no more than general dentists, specialist such as orthodontists have significant waiting times in their own practices.