Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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473. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to address orthodontic waiting lists, given that a three-year waiting list exists in Galway University Hospital alone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40697/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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474. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children on a waiting list to receive orthodontic treatment; the number of children who were on a public waiting list, and who have had their treatment paid for privately by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40698/15]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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475. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children on a waiting list to receive orthodontic treatment in Galway University Hospital; the number who were on a public waiting list, and who have had their treatment paid for privately by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40699/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 474 and 475 together.

The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to those who have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. It should be noted that the nature of orthodontic care means that immediate treatment is not always desirable. It is estimated that in up to 5% of cases it is necessary to wait for further growth to take place before treatment commences. Patients are assessed by the HSE Orthodontic Service under the modified Index of Treatment Need (IOTN). Patients with the greatest level of need i.e. Grade 5 or Grade 4 are provided with treatment by the HSE. The number of patients on the orthodontic treatment waiting list at the end of Q2 of 2015 was 18,206 nationally. There are currently 2,663 patients awaiting commencement of treatment in Galway University Hospitals.

A national procurement process is currently underway to provide treatment for certain categories of misalignment by a panel of independent practitioners under contract to the HSE over the next three years, with consideration of an extension to four years. This initiative will especially focus on those waiting for four years or longer. Tenders are currently being evaluated and it is expected that contracts will be awarded by the end of 2015. It is expected that this initiative will have a positive impact on waiting times.

Under EU Directive 201/24/EU, now commonly referred to as the Cross Border Directive (CBD), it is open to persons entitled to public patient healthcare in Ireland to choose to avail of that healthcare in another EU or EEA country or Switzerland. Such patients are reimbursed to a maximum of the level of cost that would have been assumed if this healthcare had been provided in this jurisdiction. The care must be provided outside the State and may be availed of in the public or private sector.

I have asked the HSE to investigate the extent to which it has funded CBD or any private orthodontic treatment and to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.