Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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153. To ask the Minister for Health the measures his Department will take to reduce public orthodontic treatment waiting lists which are as high as six or seven years in the south south west region; if this treatment can be included under the treatment purchase scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50885/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to patients with the greatest need who have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. Through waiting list initiatives, the HSE also  procures orthodontic care through private service providers. Since 2016 approximately 2,000 patients have received treatment through this process.

The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) works with public hospitals, as opposed to with patients directly, to offer and provide the funding for treatment to clinically suitable long waiting patients who are on an inpatient/day case waiting list for surgery, having been referred on to such a list following clinical assessment by a consultant/specialist at an outpatient clinic.

The NTPF advise that they do provide treatment for patients who are awaiting procedures under the category of 'Dental/Maxilla-Facial Surgery'. The NTPF further advise that children can avail of treatment through the NTPF, including for dental procedures. The key criteria of the NTPF is the prioritisation of the longest waiting patients first. While the NTPF identifies patients eligible for NTPF treatment, it is solely on the basis of their time spent on the Inpatient/Daycase Waiting List. The clinical suitability of the patient to avail of NTPF funded treatment is determined by the public hospital.

The Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme, operational since 1 January 2021 on an administrative basis, enables persons resident in the State to access and be reimbursed for private healthcare, including orthodontic care, in Northern Ireland by the HSE, provided such healthcare is publicly available within Ireland. It should be noted that the scheme operates on parameters similar to the EU Cross Border Directive. Patients are advised to contact the HSE Cross Border Directive office directly for further information on individual applications and types of treatment available under the NI Planned Healthcare Scheme. 

Patients also continue to have access to health services under the EU Cross Border Directive Scheme in all other remaining EU/EEA countries. In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, persons seeking to utilise these schemes should review and adhere to the public health guidance and restrictions in place at any point in time.