Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which information is available relating to the standard, quality and availability of care for all persons in various hospitals and institutions, public and private, throughout the country; the person or persons responsible for the control of such information in all institutions under his aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26635/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The setting and monitoring of standards by the Health Information and Quality Authority relating to public health services other than mental health are provided for in the Health Act 2007. The rules providing for the registration of healthcare professionals in the public and private sectors are provided for in several other pieces of legislation. However, I am informed that in this question the Deputy is particularly referring to psychiatric services.

The Mental Health Act 2001 provides a modern framework within which people who have a mental disorder and require treatment or protection can be cared for and treated. It puts in place mechanisms by which the standards, care and treatment in mental health services can be monitored, inspected and regulated. The Act provided for the establishment of the Mental Health Commission as an independent statutory body to promote, encourage and foster the establishment and maintenance of high standards and good practice in the delivery of mental health services and to protect the interests of people detained under the 2001 Act. It also provided for the establishment of the Office of the Inspector of Mental Health Services.

Under Section 51 of the Act, the Inspector of Mental Health Services must visit and inspect every approved centre at least once in each year and may visit and inspect any other premises where mental health services are provided. There are currently sixty-six approved centres, public and private.

Each year the Inspector carries out a review of mental health services and furnishes a report in writing to the Commission on (i) the quality of care and treatment given to persons in receipt of mental health services, (ii) what he/she has ascertained pursuant to any inspections carried out by him/her of approved centres or other premises where mental health services are being provided, (iii) the degree and extent of compliance by approved centres with any code of practice prepared by the Commission under section 33(3)(e) of the Mental Health Act 2001, and (iv) such other matters as he/she considers appropriate to report on arising from his or her review. The Inspector's Report is published as part of the Mental Health Commission Annual Report and copies are laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which the full extent of orthodontic needs as determined through school medical examinations or otherwise is being met in part or in full on an annual basis throughout the country; the degree to which patients are categorised; the changes if any that have taken place in respect of such categorisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26637/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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In 2010, 17,249 patients were in active treatment in the HSE Orthodontic Service. A further 9,304 were in inactive treatment, i.e. in observation or in retainers.

Patients are referred by the HSE's dental service school screening programme to the Orthodontic Service. They are then assessed under the modified Index of Treatment Need (IOTN). The IOTN was introduced on foot of a recommendation in the HSE Orthodontic Review Group Report (2006). Patients with the greatest level of need, i.e. Grade 5 or Grade 4 are provided with treatment by the HSE Orthodontic Service.