Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 303: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if crowding comes within the 1985 guidelines of her Department in respect of orthodontic treatment; if she will confirm that it is universally accepted that severe crowding is one of the malocclusions dealt with in Category C under the 1985 guidelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38675/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The aim of my Department is to promote the development of the treatment capacity of orthodontics in a sustainable way over the longer term. Given the potential level of demand for orthodontic services, the provision of those services will continue to be based on prioritisation of cases based on treatment need — as happens under the existing guidelines. These guidelines were issued in 1985 and are intended to enable the Health Service Executive (HSE), to identify in a consistent way those in greatest need and to commence timely treatment for them.

The HSE has informed my Department that it has established an Orthodontic Review Group. The terms of reference for the Group are:

to review the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee Reports;

to examine the recommendations within the operational remit of the HSE and to establish their status;

to conduct an analysis of the HSE's existing orthodontic delivery structure and capacity. Based on that analysis, to make recommendations in that regard;

the recommendations thus made to be costed and a time-frame for their implementation proposed.

The Orthodontic Review Group will report on its findings, including the issue of orthodontic need raised by the Deputy, to the Chief Executive Officer of the HSE.

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 304: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the home care packages currently being assessed for County Mayo were received by the offices of the Health Services Executive western region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38679/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 305: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the options and services available to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; the assistance available to this person's daughter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38688/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.