Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is a commitment in the programme for Government to deal with the waiting lists in many HSE services across the country, particularly for orthodontic services for young teenagers. In my constituency of Sligo-Leitrim there is a waiting list of over two years and, in some cases, three years, for young teenagers awaiting orthodontic services. Many young teenagers will finish secondary school and go on to third level before they will be called to receive treatment. I ask the Taoiseach for an assurance that a review will take place, that additional services will be put in place and that whatever needs to be done will be done to speed up the process. Families are at their wits' end. Up to a couple of months ago a family with a member on a waiting list for a certain length of time could have availed of private orthodontic services and been compensated later, but I understand this service has been withdrawn, leaving many families in the lurch. As youngsters attending college have a lot of expenses, this is a crisis, particularly in County Sligo.

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