Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 179: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if consideration will be given to subsidising patients in the North Western Health Board area who have to go to Northern Ireland to avail of orthodontic services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29793/04]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The provision of orthodontic services is the statutory responsibility of the health boards in the first instance.

The chief executive officer of the North Western Health Board has informed my Department that due to staff shortages, the board is currently referring highest priority orthodontic patients to private practitioners in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The board has received additional funding from my Department to help meet the cost of such private referrals which are free of charge to the patients.

The chief executive officer has also informed my Department that the board has recently held interviews for a specialist orthodontist and expects to fill the post in the coming weeks.