Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have noted carefully the Deputy's concerns and frustrations. In the good old days, when we were on the ERHA and we travelled around the country with the South-Western Area Health Board, one of the topical issues was orthodontics. Children in the early stages of their schooling were not looked after properly and got worse as they got older. I know the Deputy is well aware of what is needed in the area and the number of posts that need to be filled. The proposal will be considered. As stated, it is part of the Estimates for 2018. The Deputy has highlighted an urgent need to recruit someone at this very early stage. Children cannot wait until the Estimates are completed for a service to be put in place.

I concur with what the Deputy has said and I make the Minister aware of her frustration and concerns and, above all, the fact that children are waiting to be seen in classes other than first and sixth classes. They are developing very serious dental and oral health needs. I will make sure that I bring to the attention of the Minister the statistics I have taken down on the populations in the areas the Deputy mentioned.

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