Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I assure the Deputy that we are certainly not waiting for any report and that, as I already outlined, under the procurement procedures being put in place, a number of children in Cork and Kerry and a significant number of children throughout the country have had offers of treatment and received orthodontic treatment in a primary care setting through private providers. In addition, as we speak, we are upskilling dental hygienists and others to perform the function of orthodontic therapists, which will help to increase the capacity within our existing primary care structures.

The Cork and Kerry CHO has decided that it wants to examine what it considers it needs in terms of current resources, including its staffing and service level agreements. I assure the Deputy that as soon as it comes back with that information, we will look at acting upon that in the context of the HSE's service plan for 2018. I would like to see much more done on this area. We are providing additional funding for this year and substantial additional funding for next year in terms of addressing waiting lists and longest waiters. I do not see why we cannot direct more of that to the Cork and Kerry area. After these questions, I will link with the CHO, through the HSE, to see when I can expect that ask from the Cork and Kerry CHO.

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