Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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379. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which orthodontic services are being made available evenly throughout the country; the areas of greatest need in this regard at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27127/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In 2021, the HSE commenced a new procurement that allows patients to have treatment with private Specialist Orthodontists. The Waiting list plan initiative for 2022 included €11 million in funding is to be made available for identified community initiatives, including a focus on orthodontics. A HSE orthodontic treatment waiting list initiative in 2022 will see Children and Young People assessed as Grade 4 who have been waiting over 4 years for treatment at a cost of €2.8m. As of the 9^{th of}May, 464 children and young people have been taken off the orthodontics waiting list using private providers under this new procurement framework. It is anticipated that the orthodontics waiting list initiative will continue to the end of the year.

As part of the question is a service matter I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.