Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Like others, I was pleased to see Deputy Flanagan become a senior Minister. It is long overdue and well-deserved. This may be his maiden visit to Seanad Éireann, since he has not served here but has always been in the other House. He is very welcome.

I am tabling this Adjournment matter this evening because I visited a house where I met a 15 year old girl who has been waiting five years to have orthodontic treatment. This is having a detrimental effect in her formative years. We all know that early second level education is remarkably important and that, where possible, students should have all their faculties operating to their best capacity. That has not happened in this case.

We are in a modern society and a delay of more than five years is altogether unacceptable. I have noted the responses we have received from the HSE to the effect that it will be dealt with within three to six months. I strongly believe that this young lady in north Clare should be accommodated if there are extended hours or if a cancellation arises. We have no wish to see some other poor unfortunate losing out because of the fact that I have the facility of raising the matter in Seanad Éireann, but I believe the HSE has a responsibility and a duty of care to this young lady to ensure that she gets the treatment she requires as a matter of urgency. I would like to think this could be resolved in a matter of weeks rather than months.