Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

12. To ask the Minister for Health the progress made by the orthodontic services waiting list initiative for grade 5 patients; the location and number of successful tenderers; the number of patients it is anticipated will be seen in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33748/25]

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

This is a particular issue and there is huge cohort, in particular in the Louth hospital in Dundalk. Those with grade 4 issues were dealt with but those with grade 5 issues, which were more serious, were not. Obviously, the longer we leave this the greater an issue it is. It needs to be dealt with.

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I can update the Deputy on the orthodontic waiting lists. As of April 2025, the HSE employs 14 consultant orthodontists and 36 specialist orthodontists nationally. There are almost 35 oral healthcare vacancies at the moment which the HSE is working to fill, including three specialist orthodontist whole-time equivalents, and a further 2.22 dental nurse whole-time equivalents. There are staffing challenges within orthodontic services in the Dublin and north-east region.

At present, both specialist orthodontists posts in Dundalk, which also serve Counties Cavan and Monaghan, are vacant. The HSE is sanctioned to fill those posts and is actively pursuing both temporary and permanent recruitment options. A locum consultant orthodontist post is also being considered. The region also has orthodontic units in Navan and Ashtown, which have a combined total of two consultant orthodontists and five specialist orthodontist whole-time equivalents, currently filled and providing care in the Dublin and north-east region. The HSE is engaged to address the best use of existing funded private procurement options to support delivery of orthodontic care in the region.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Could the Minister come back to me regarding the waiting list initiative? We have submitted multiple parliamentary questions on this. This was one of the solutions. There had been a huge number of vacancies. It is positive that attempts are being made to fill these positions but we need to make sure it happens as soon as possible. I saw movement on those who were seen as grade 4 patients and who needed that orthodontic dental work done, but my fear is that those who fall into the grade 5 bracket have a greater medical need and the longer they are left, the greater the issues there may be. I accept the Minister might not have the answer in front of her, but I would appreciate it if she could come back to me with the specifics of this initiative to deal with the waiting lists. We need to make sure there is no hold up and slow down in filling these vacancies related to orthodontic services because the impact this could have could be serious.

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I totally recognise that and I commit today to writing to the Deputy with a full answer on these points. However, as regards the waiting list initiative, there is €8.4 million for this year, provided on an ongoing basis this year to address the primary care waiting lists for children, including in orthodontics. The funding is ongoing rather than one-off and is provided to try to reduce the waiting lists and address increased demand for those services. In the area of orthodontics in 2025, €1.35 million is to be invested in the jaw surgery initiative, while €1.5 million is to be invested in the community-based treatment initiative. Up to the end of May, 128 patients had been transferred to private orthodontic treatment, with 33 receiving jaw surgery under that initiative. A higher number of grade 5 patients are commencing, progressing and completing treatment than grade 4, and I recognise the very serious impact that has, particularly on young people, and the need for timely surgery. I will come back to the Deputy with a complete and full answer.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I appreciate the Minister's response. We need information on timelines and tenders so that we can see light at the end of the tunnel in terms of delivering for those patients. The Minister accepts that we are talking about those with the most serious orthodontic need. The sooner that happens, the better. Otherwise we could be talking about people who need far more acute care, which will be a cost to them and their families and to the State. We need to ensure these initiatives, which have been promised, are up and running and work as soon as possible, while ensuring that those vacancies that exist in respect of orthodontic services, particularly in the Dublin and north-east region, are dealt with. This is an issue constantly raised in my constituency office. There is even communication from time to time from those who work in the services who see the stress parents are under as well as the pain and anguish children go through in these circumstances.