Michael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will investigate the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin who has been informed that they have to wait over two and a half years for orthodontic treatment; the reason for the delay; when use of the National Treatment Purchase Fund will be an option; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36066/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the funding, management and delivery of health and personal social services which 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.

In regard to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), there is a commitment in the current Programme For Government that orthodontic cases be referred to the NTPF by creating a fund to treat children who have been waiting the longest for treatment. My Department is examining the steps involved in advancing this issue.