Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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400. To ask the Minister for Health how many orthodontic surgeons are currently employed directly by the Health Service Executive; if the executive is outsourcing dental orthodontic surgery services at present; if orthodontic surgery services outside the State are made available to patients who have been waiting more than five years for treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5240/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Patients may require orthodontic surgery prior to or post orthodontic treatment. The HSE is not presently outsourcing orthodontic surgery services. As part of the orthodontic waiting list initiative for long waiters a once-off procurement for patients waiting for orthognathic (corrective jaw) surgery in Dublin North East was undertaken by the HSE in 2015.

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. Assistance is provided by the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive Department of the HSE and the operation of scheme is a service matter for the HSE.

This matter and the part of the Question relating to the numbers of orthodontic surgeons employed has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. 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.