Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The new Programme of Government contains a commitment that orthodontic cases can be referred to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) by creating an orthodontic fund to treat children who have been waiting the longest for treatment. Officials from my Department will examine the steps involved in advancing this issue while also having discussions with the National Treatment Purchase Fund.

In regard to the Deputy's question about the number of persons on the public waiting list for orthodontic treatment in County Limerick, the position is that the management and delivery of health and personal social services are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.