Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Following on from our Private Members' debate yesterday, when I raised the chronic state of medical waiting lists, I want to talk about the specifics of orthodontic services in County Donegal. My office is dealing with a number of cases and recently constituents have written to me. One stated that their 14-year-old daughter has been two years on the waiting list just to be assessed for braces. She was told when she went on the waiting list that even after assessment, she could be another two years waiting for treatment. This is seriously affecting her self-confidence and getting her down. Another constituent wrote to say that their 16-year-old daughter has been referred and is waiting for an assessment by an orthodontic consultant for almost four years. This is surely unacceptable. They have been told that no assessments have taken place there since last March, that they do not even have the necessary equipment to do this assessment anyway and that they do not have the necessary and dedicated accommodation to provide the service. Does the Tánaiste think that is acceptable for the people of County Donegal? What is he going to do about rectifying the situation?

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